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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2025.09.02
Vaal, 02.09.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R95.000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: NEVER NEVER LAND caught the eye when a fast-finishing 2nd on debut over 1200m. The extra 200m with that experience under his belt will be more to his liking. AMANDLA NGAWETHU has shown enough to be competitive but a bigger threat will likely be posed by newcomers GONNA CATCH YOU and MY LUCKY CHARM. Watch the betting!
Selections: #5 Never Never Land, #2 Gonna Catch You, #1 Amandla Ngawethu, #4 My Lucky Charm
Vaal, 02.09.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 13:10GMT+2
Race Summary: PARIS FUN wasn’t winning out of turn when beating older rivals as a 2yo to open her account over this track and trip. With further progress expected on her reappearance, she could follow up on her 3yo debut. Hard-knockers SUNSHINE DAY, PRIZED PLATINUM, COMMANDER OF ALL and LIBECCIO all have the form and experience to make life difficult for the youngster.
Selections: #3 Paris Fun, #2 Sunshine Day, #6 Commander Of All, #5 Libeccio
Vaal, 02.09.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R120.000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: OPEN HIGHWAY showed his form and well-being by finishing a close-up 2nd over 1600m last time under a penalty for winning a similar contest over this trip in his previous outing. He will likely play another leading role and is taken to get the better of fellow consistent hard-knocker FULLY LOADED who didn’t go unnoticed over 1200m recently and will be better suited to this extended trip. SOHO HEARTTHROB is also respected on his 3yo and handicap debut. MASTER CHRISTMAS, COMING IN HOT and SUTHERLAND complete the shortlist.
Selections: #3 Open Highway, #2 Fully Loaded, #7 Soho Heartthrob, #1 Master Christmas
Vaal, 02.09.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Lightly raced WESTERN WISHES won at a higher level on her return from a layoff and a 3-point penalty is unlikely to halt her momentum, especially in this grade with a 4kg claiming apprentice in the irons. Fellow last-start scorer MATTIAZO appears the biggest danger ahead of veteran mares GOLDEN ASPEN and CAN’T CATCH ME.
Selections: #1 Western Wishes, #2 Mattiazo, #3 Golden Aspen, #6 Can’T Catch Me
Vaal, 02.09.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R100.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: FUTUREWOLFF was rewarded for consistency when winning over track and trip last time and a 3-point penalty shouldn’t prevent him from making another bold bid for victory. However, WAR REPORTER finished ahead of that rival in an earlier meeting and is better off at the weights, so he could turn the tables on these terms. ZIP CODE, STREWN SKY and UNSOLVED RIDDLE are competitive off their current marks and should make their presence felt too.
Selections: #7 War Reporter, #4 Futurewolff, #3 Unsolved Riddle, #1 Zip Code
Vaal, 02.09.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R100.000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: DAMOVA bounced back to form last time when finishing ahead of ROMEO’S MAGIC and she should confirm her superiority, despite a 1kg weight turnaround. Veteran stayers NUCLEAR FORCE, ROYAL MAZARIN, ARLINGTION ACTION and GOLD DE GRACE could all take home a cheque.
Selections: #2 Damova, #1 Romeo’s Magic, #5 Nuclear Force, #7 Gold De Grace
Vaal, 02.09.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R80.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: STEP INTO IT confirmed the promise of his debut 4th over 1600m by winning over the same distance last time but this extended trip should unlock further improvement from the exciting 3yo. Experienced STOP THE TRAFFIC and FULL GO have the form and experience to trouble the selection, while hard-knockers THE MERCIFUL and CREPUSCOLO have earning potential too.
Selections: #1 Step Into It, #2 Stop The Traffic, #7 Full Go, #10 The Merciful
Vaal, 02.09.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R135.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: KING’S EXPRESS is in good form and unbeaten in 3 appearances under S’manga Khumalo. However, it’s difficult to look beyond TEO TORRIATTE who has been transformed by the addition of cheekpieces, winning 4 of 5 starts with the headgear fitted. Hard-knockers HAWKBILL, SILENT WAR and MOUNT DARWIN are proven at this level and likely to acquit themselves competitively too.
Selections: #9 Teo Torriatte, #1 King’s Express, #4 Mount Darwin, #2 Hawkbill
Best Win: #1 WESTERN WISHES
Best Value Bet: #7 WAR REPORTER
Best Longshot: #7 WAR REPORTER
