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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2025.10.02
Vaal Classic, 02.10.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R95.000, 12:45GMT+2
Race Summary: PRINCESS OF ALL was an encouraging second on debut over this course and distance but that was not a particularly strong event. Nevertheless, she would’ve benefitted from that experience so should have a role to play with natural improvement expected. POWER OF PEARLS has shown pace but tired late in recent starts over 1200m, so she could be better suited to this shorter in her peak outing. GASLIGHT DANCER and VANAKKAM are open to improvement after respective absences. Well-bred newcomers AQUARIUS, SAKURA HANAMI and TEMPRANILLO are also respected and worth a market check.
Selections: #5 Power Of Pearls, #11 Tempranillo, #7 Aquarius, #9 Princess Of All
Vaal Classic, 02.10.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 13:20GMT+2
Race Summary: PIVOTAL ROLE was outrun late by a fellow newcomer when finishing second on debut over track and trip. He would’ve come on appreciably with the benefit of that outing so will be hard to beat with any improvement. Experienced RINGHO is held on that form and unlikely to turn the tables. BINGO wears first-time headgear on his return from a break and should give the selection most to fear. DISTRICT ATTORNEY and WINTER BELLE complete the shortlist.
Selections: #7 Pivotal Role, #3 Bingo, #9 Winter Belle, #2 Ringho
Vaal Classic, 02.10.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: After an introductory outing over slightly further, speedy WINDSOR SILK enjoyed this shorter trip last time when showing her rivals a clean of pair of heels. She beat a subsequent winner on that occasion and is open to any amount of improvement as a 3yo so it could pay to follow her progress, even against male opposition. Lightly raced HIS LORDSHIP caught the eye last time and could trouble the selection if repeating that performance. Class-droppers TIGER STORM and ONE TIGER have the form and experience to make their presence felt too. Returning last-start winner INAFIX fits a similar profile.
Selections: #3 Windsor Silk, #8 His Lordship, #2 One Tiger, #6 Predatrice
Vaal Classic, 02.10.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100.000, 14:30GMT+2
Race Summary: DAISY JONES and MAMLAMBO return from respective absences following last-start maiden victories during promising 2dyo campaigns. Both fillies are open to any amount of improvement, though slight preference is given to the former whose experience over this distance stands her in good stead. FAIR PROPOSAL could also have more to offer over this extended trip. LITTLEMISSSPLENDID, SIGRID SWING and CHANTILLY DREAM are closely matched on the form of a recent course-and-distance meeting in a similar contest, and they should acquit themselves competitively.
Selections: #3 Daisy Jones, #5 Mamlambo, #6 Chantilly Dream, #7 Sigrid Swing
Vaal Classic, 02.10.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R110.000, 15:05GMT+2
Race Summary: CEUTA acquitted herself well in a similar contest over 1400m last time off her current rating (career-high mark) and should play another leading role over this distance that is more to her liking. KISSHOTEN is also at the top of her game and likely to be competitive. She is closely matched on recent form with ACROSS THE POND whose consistency ought to be rewarded sooner rather than later. Hat-trick seeking IT’S HER WAY is progressive and could improve sufficiently to defy a 4-point penalty and complete the hat-trick.
Selections: #6 It’s Her Way, #2 Ceuta, #5 Across The Pond, #4 Kisshoten
Vaal Classic, 02.10.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R80.000, 15:40GMT+2
Race Summary: On the form and consistency of his recent performances at a higher level, this represents a good opportunity for veteran hard-knocker TRIDENT KING to end a 910-day wait for his fifth career win. He ought to capitalise on this drop in class and reduced rating. Consistent ROSY LEMON and last-start winner RED SPARROW have the means to make life difficult for the selection. Both are engaged to run at earlier meetings so their progress/participation must be monitored. BOB LEE SWAGGER and CIRCLE OF GRACE are others with earning potential.
Selections: #2 Trident King, #6 Michael Faraday, #7 Red Sparrow, #9 Circle Of Grace
Vaal Classic, 02.10.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R135.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: LUCE VERDE has thrived since relocating to the Highveld and a 6-point penalty for a last-start beating of re-opposing THE ULTIMATE KING (0.5kg better off) is unlikely to halt his momentum. The latter is also on an upward trajectory so he should fight out the finish on these revised terms. ENFLAME fits a similar profile and can also make his presence felt over this shorter trip after a 61-day freshen-up. Fellow recent scorer ROYAL EDITION, hard-knocker HAWKBILL and consistent filly PALACE DANCER (trying further) aren’t taken lightly either.
Selections: #4 Luce Verde, #2 The Ultimate King, #9 Enflame, #3 Hawkbill
Vaal Classic, 02.10.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R115.000, 16:55GMT+2
Race Summary: EIGER SANCTION bounced back to form last time when an improved second in a similar contest over 2000m and a repeat of that performance off an unchanged mark should suffice. STREET ART and SKY PILLAR ROCK have a bit to find on that form but are weighted to get closer. FUTUREWOLFF is honest and a consistent performer at this level so he should have a role to play, along with last-start winners COPPOLA and FOLLOW THE MASTER who remain competitive under resultant penalties.
Selections: #2 Eiger Sanction, #4 Follow The Master, #3 Futurewolff, #5 Coppola
Best Win: #7 PIVOTAL ROLE
Best Value Bet: #6 IT’S HER WAY
Best Longshot: #6 IT’S HER WAY
