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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2025.10.09
Vaal, 09.10.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 11:55GMT+2
Race Summary: QUEEN OF PEARLS finished a promising second on debut over this trip and with any improvement will be hard to beat. DONDOYAKI and SAVARA’S PRINCESS have the form and experience, especially over this distance, to make their presence felt. However, a bigger threat could come from one of the newcomers so pay attention to the betting exchanges. Before any market clues, THE REASON is respected with Richard Fourie booked to ride. Well-bred debutantes BLOOMING LOVELY, BOSPHORUS STRAIT and DUCHESS DI aren’t taken lightly either.
Selections: #11 Queen Of Pearls, #14 The Reason, #6 Bosphorus Strait, #8 Duchess Di
Vaal, 09.10.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: SPACE MISSION caught the eye on debut when a staying-on third as a 2yo in open company and he will know more about it on his reappearance. Stablemate MILAN’S WORLD has also shown enough to make his presence felt after a lengthy layoff. However, well-bred newcomers STONEYWOOD and GEOSTORM are of particular interest on debut as both are closely related (full brothers) to Grade 1-winning sprinters.
Selections: #12 Stoneywood, #6 Geostorm, #11 Space Mission, #1 Milan’s World
Vaal, 09.10.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Debut scorer GIMMEFORSURE lost little in defeat on her handicap debut in open company as a 2yo and remains open to improvement over this extended trip after a 15-week break. BLINDFIRE was second over track and trip at a slightly higher level last time and a repeat of that performance off an unchanged mark could suffice. MICKE’S BOMB is closely matched on that form so should be competitive on 3.5kg better terms. Consistent hard-knocker TIME FOR CHARITY also has solid form.
Selections: #4 Blindfire, #8 Micke’s Bomb, #1 Gimmeforsure, #5 Time For Charity
Vaal, 09.10.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: KOMATI RIVER bounced back to form with a last-start victory over track and trip under the same rider and a 3-point penalty isn’t likely to prevent another forward showing. Familiar foe FRANCILIEN renews rivalry in her peak outing and is weighted to avenge that narrow defeat on 1kg better terms. BOSUM BUDDY wasn’t a long way adrift that day and should also be competitive on these revised terms. LIMERICK LACE is open to improvement on her reappearance so shouldn’t be underestimated. Course-and-distance specialist FLIGHT OF A CONDOR can get into the picture too.
Selections: #2 Francilien, #4 Komati River, #5 Bosum Buddy, #7 Limerick Lace
Vaal, 09.10.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R150.000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Grade 1 winner DYCE sets the standard and is weighted to make a winning reappearance if he’s ready to roll after a 257-day absence. TRUTH has sufficient ability but is untried over this distance. MOUNT PILATUS is weighted to be competitive and he boasts a good record racing fresh after a break. MOUNT PINATUBO is distance suited and at the top of his game, so he could pose a bigger threat. Stablemates SHELDON and CHYAVANA fit a similar profile so can’t be taken lightly. KARATE KID can have a say too.
Selections: #1 Dyce, #5 Mount Pinatubo, #10 Sheldon, #12 Karate Kid
Vaal, 09.10.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R130.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: ALADDIN’S LAMP has gone from strength to strength since relocating to the Highveld. He completed a hat-trick when winning over 2400m before a 12-week break and another forward showing is expected, even over this shorter trip. However, any chinks in his armour are likely to be exposed by progressive 3yo PALACE PRINCE who, on pedigree, should have more to offer stepping up to this distance. MOUNT DARWIN, MASTERSHIP and BIRTHRIGHT have the form and experience at this level to have a say in the outcome.
Selections: #11 Palace Prince, #2 Aladdin’s Lamp, #8 Mount Darwin, #5 Mastership
Vaal, 09.10.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R85.000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: More than half of the runners in this line-up are engaged to run seven days earlier, so their participation is in doubt. FOLLOW THE MASTER, PEACE TREATY and FLAG BEARER are three of those but they should have a say here if taking their place. PAGE BOY didn’t go unnoticed on his reappearance over a shorter trip and it could pay to follow his progress, with improvement expected over this extended distance. FULL GO and MIZZEN SWORD complete the shortlist.
Selections: #2 Page Boy, #1 Follow The Master, #3 Mizzen Sword, #6 Flag Bearer
Vaal, 09.10.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R100.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: KISS OF FIRE has raised her game under apprentice Samo-Burthia and confirmed as much by finishing second last time (in her hat-trick bid) off a career-high mark. She could resume winning ways if repeating that performance under another 3-pont rise. BOLD ACTION, HOLLYWOOD MADAM, HOPSCOTCH and THE MIGHTIEST are all capable of better than their disappointing latest efforts so they should fight out the minors. Consistent INSTANT ATTRACTION has earning potential too.
Selections: #3 Kiss Of Fire, #6 Hopscotch, #7 Instant Attraction, #8 Pomozelous
Vaal, 09.10.2025, Race 9, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R110.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: A case can be made for most of these runners although St John Gray probably holds the key. He has two strings to his bow with consistent fillies FREE IN SEATTLE and FUTURE DATE. The latter fared better in a recent 2000m meeting and should confirm her superiority on identical weight terms. DIMAKO’S JET, KEY WORKER and PRETTY ANALIA are honest hard-knockers with solid form and they shouldn’t be far off. MOUNT ETNA and BOOM BOOM come next.
Selections: #5 Future Date, #1 Free In Seattle, #2 Dimako’s Jet, #4 Key Worker
Best Win: #11 QUEEN OF PEARLS
Best Value Bet: #11 PALACE PRINCE
Best Longshot: #11 PALACE PRINCE
