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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2025.07.31
Vaal Classic, 31.07.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R130.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: MIGHTY EAGLE and RED PENNY didn’t perform to their level when soundly beaten by a subsequent Grade 2-placed youngster over 1400m. On the evidence of earlier form, both are capable of better and remain open to improvement stretching out to this extended trip. THE LAST DUKE and SINGLETON SAM improved with the benefit of an introductory outing to run out wide-margin maiden winners recently and they should have roles to play too. Maiden REDLIGHTGREENLIGHT is closely matched on recent form and could upstage those rivals in receipt of 3kg.
Selections: #6 Redlightgreenlight, #3 Singleton Sam, #4 The Last Duke, #1 Mighty Eagle
Vaal Classic, 31.07.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: EMPRESS WU has proven costly to follow but wouldn’t be winning out of turn after several close-up finishes. CYBER SPIRIT has the form and experience to play a leading role too. ICONIC WINTER caught the eye last time in her second start back from a lengthy layoff and she could go one better with any improvement in her peak outing. Youngster BLUSHING BLOOM has improved with each outing and should be a factor with further progress expected after a career-best 2nd last time out. KORCULA (engaged on 26 July), RINGA RINGA ROSES and TWELFTH OF NEVER aren’t taken lightly on debut. Watch the betting.
Selections: #1 Iconic Winter, #4 Blushing Bloom, #7 Ringa Ringa Roses, #10 Twelfth Of Never
Vaal Classic, 31.07.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: XENOPHON will be winning sooner rather than later and he gets the nod here judged on the strength and consistency of his form. Fellow 3yo geldings SILVER LONGSWORD and returning GREEN CHERRY are lightly raced and open to improvement so they could have a say in the outcome. Younger rivals CAPTAIN FRANK and GAVIUS MAXIMUS fit a similar profile so shouldn’t be underestimated. However, a bigger threat may come from 2yo filly POWER OF PEARLS who caught the eye on debut when a fast-finishing 3rd over 1000m. She is open to any amount of improvement on her reappearance following a 186-day absence.
Selections: #1 Xenophon, #11 Power Of Pearls, #8 Captain Frank, #9 Gavius Maximus
Vaal Classic, 31.07.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: RADIO STAR acquitted himself well in defeat when a staying-on 5th in a winners’ race over 1400m after finishing 2nd in both previous outings over the same distance against older opposition. The step up to this trip will suit and he won’t need to improve much to open his account. LUWAK, after a pleasing debut 3rd, and improving MATROOSBERG are also likely to improve, so they could give the selection most to fear.
Selections: #8 Radio Star, #7 Matroosberg, #6 Luwak, #4 Best Candidate
Vaal Classic, 31.07.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R95.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Well-bred youngster BABETTE’S FEAST was a beaten odds-on favourite over 1160m on debut but that experience would’ve done her plenty good and the step up to this trip should be more to her liking, so it could pay to follow her progress. Lightly raced MATTIAZO should improve in her peak outing to challenge the youngster. ASIAH’S TIARA and NKWENKWEZI also have the form and experience to make their presence felt but are vulnerable to less-exposed types. WITCHING HOUR falls into that category and should have a role to play after a career-best 2nd over this trip last time out.
Selections: #8 Babette’s Feast, #3 Mattiazo, #10 Witching Hour, #2 Nkwenkwezi
Vaal Classic, 31.07.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R110.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: ANDI’S GIRL has been out of sorts recently at a higher level but she should fare better in these calmer waters. IN THE BEGINNING, BLIND AMBITION and DESTINY OF FIRE are all capable of better than their recent performances suggest, so they shouldn’t be taken lightly at this level off their current ratings. HONG KONG and EXCEEDINGLY GLAM are also dangerous to discount at the bottom of the weights. However, it could be worth siding with MISS LIA on her reappearance from a 6-month layoff following her no-show in a 3yo Fillies Grade 2. She won after a 3-month break last year so does run well fresh.
Selections: #3 Miss Lia, #8 Destiny Of Fire, #9 Hong Kong, #10 Exceedingly Glam
Vaal Classic, 31.07.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R100.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: TOO LATE MY MATE deserves a reward for her consistency and this drop in class represents an ideal opportunity for her to end a 522-day winless run. LADY SABRINA, WHIRLYBIRD and MAVERICK QUEEN seem her most likely dangers. SAIGON SUZIE shouldn’t be underestimated either given her potential improvement off a career-low mark.
Selections: #1 Too Late My Mate, #2 Lady Sabrina, #5 Whirlybird, #6 Maverick Queen
Vaal Classic, 31.07.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R85.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Consistent FOSTINOVO is engaged to run at an earlier meeting which casts doubt over his participation here. He would have every chance if taking his place at this lower level with the aid of a 1.5kg-claiming apprentice. Unexposed CRESCENDO had excuses for his disappointing last start and a subsequent 75-day break would’ve done him good, so a better showing can be expected. Hard-knockers AFTER HOURS and SAIL THE SKY can’t be ignored at this level but they’re vulnerable to less-exposed, improving types. Youngster PALACE PRINCE fits that description and his progress should be worth following.
Selections: #5 Palace Prince, #1 Fostinovo, #2 Crescendo, #3 After Hours
Vaal Classic, 31.07.2025, Race 9, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 16:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Imported DEAL MAKER showed no signs of rustiness in a similar race on her SA debut, leading for most of the way before finishing a game-in-defeat 2nd. She would’ve benefitted from that comeback outing and can only improve with that run under her belt. Interestingly, she finished 3.75 lengths ahead of GLOBAL THUNDER, winner of both her subsequent appearances. PREDATRICE and GAELIC DANCER (closely matched on recent form) also have the ability to stake a claim. SUMMER WINTER lost little in defeat (3rd under 59kg) at a higher level on the Poly last time and a similar effort back on turf may suffice.
Selections: #1 Summer Winter, #5 Deal Maker, #4 Predatrice, #7 Gaelic Dancer
Best Win: #8 RADIO STAR
Best Value Bet: #1 SUMMER WINTER
Best Longshot: #1 SUMMER WINTER
