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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2025.09.30
Vaal, 30.09.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R75.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Vercingetorix gelding BELLEROPHON should be hard to beat in the opener. He was only just ousted by an improving filly who carried 3kg less than him last week. Most need to make big improvement for the win. ROCK MY BOAT ran a much better race in a competitive event last time. He is upped in distance again and will need to get the timing right. NEBRASKA showed something on debut and then faded out in soft going last time. He could bounce back but ITSNOWORNEVER finished ahead of him and must then also be considered.
Selections: #7 Bellerophon, #5 Rock My Boat, #8 Equilateral, #9 Nebraska
Vaal, 30.09.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: ICONIC WINTER didn’t disgrace herself when tried in KwaZulu-Natal. She can make a winning return now back home. Watch out for MAGIC CARPET RIDE who finished fourth on debut showing potential for the Sean Tarry yard. The form line hasn’t worked out badly and she could come out firing after a rest. DUCHESS OF PALOMA has run decent races in the Western Cape and if anywhere near ready after her break she could prove to be a big threat. EXPLOSIVE CHARM (support on debut) and EXPLOSIVE POWER have room for improvement. There are newcomers to consider too.
Selections: #1 Iconic Winter, #3 Magic Carpet Ride, #2 Duchess Of Paloma, #10 United Offer
Vaal, 30.09.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: VAMANOS should enjoy the drop in distance. She did everything but win over 1450m last time and can make amends in her third start after a rest. LOST FOR WORDS is a lightly raced four-year-old that remains unexposed. She finished ahead of What A Winter filly QUIET WINTER who has shown fair potential and looks a big threat. QUIET WINTER was well backed but proved costly but can improve in her second run after a rest. Rested HAWKSDALE rates the dark horse back in a sprint. She was the fastest finisher in her last start when meeting winners.
Selections: #4 Vamanos, #3 Lost For Words, #5 Quiet Winter, #6 Hawksdale
Vaal, 30.09.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: AFRICAN PRIDE is highly regarded and ran a fair race on debut. He raced in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion in his second start but that kind of contest may have come too soon then. The Rafeef gelding is the one to watch on his return. MONKEY PUZZLE can score his overdue maiden win if things go his way. The horses he has finished runner-up to are all looking like high class individuals. JABARI THIMBA is well related and showed some potential on debut before being beaten as favourite. He has been gelded and must be respected. More can improve.
Selections: #3 African Pride, #1 Monkey Puzzle, #7 Jabari Thimba, #2 Arizona Magic
Vaal, 30.09.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R95.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: WINDS OF GRACE must surely get it right soon. She has finished runner-up in her last three starts and has gate 3. Three-year-old RED SECRET wasn’t hard pressed to run a decent second on debut and should come on nicely. The longer trip should suit but she has plenty to beat. LANTERI lost ground on debut but stayed on well at the end. She must improve. HAZY DAZY caught the eye when making her debut in May and could have made any amount of improvement since. FRANGIPANI was beaten under a length last time, so she also comes into it.
Selections: #9 Red Secret, #1 Winds Of Grace, #8 Lanteri, #7 Hazy Dazy
Vaal, 30.09.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R95.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Nice race. Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren has a solid hand with his trio. ALPINE JET impressed on debut and was only just ousted by another fair sort when upped in trip. She could be the one to beat back over 1000m. ON THE RUN is a Trippi/Captain Al cross who showed promise before pulling up lame last time. She can bounce back to form. SAIGON SUZIE is dropping in trip but ran out an easy winner of her last start and must be respected. Alec Laird’s Canford Cliffs filly PARADISE WAY showed good promise beating a horse that won easily straight after. TUSCAN ROMANCE must have a say too.
Selections: #3 Alpine Jet, #6 Paradise Way, #2 Tuscan Romance, #5 On The Run
Vaal, 30.09.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R140.000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Unbeaten TAEGAN’S CHAMP is back and all eyes will be on him. He has shown high class ability but the Fabian Habib-trained entire may just need it after a 623 day layoff. Follow the betting moves closely. CHAMPION WARRIOR is unbeaten at this track and is another that must be taken seriously even if racing after a rest. SUNSET RIOT has room for improvement. He wasn’t too far off in a sprint and should appreciate the step up in trip. PRESSONREGARDLESS is in top form and could win again. POTBERRIE, MASTER CHRISTMAS, TSAR BOMBA, PRESLEY, and RICHARD THE FIRST add to an intriguing contest.
Selections: #1 Taegan’s Champ, #7 Sunset Riot, #4 Pressonregardless, #2 Potberrie
Vaal, 30.09.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R90.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: ROYAL HORIZON has much improved form and is looking to make it three wins on the bounce. She has more to do on ratings but loves the track and rates a serious contender. It is competitive. MAMLAMBO could be anything. She won her second start easily and has been given time off to mature. She may prefer further with time but must be followed. Fellow three-year-old WISE COUNSEL has also been off after her maiden win. She has room to improve. LITTLEMISSSPLENDID must improve on her last run when beaten as favourite after a rest. SPIRITED GIRL is one of many that can make the exotics pay.
Selections: #7 Mamlambo, #8 Wise Counsel, #9 Royal Horizon, #6 Littlemisssplendid
Best Win: #7 BELLEROPHON
Best Value Bet: #7 MAMLAMBO
Best Longshot: #7 MAMLAMBO
