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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2025.10.23
Vaal Classic, 23.10.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R105.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: HEROIC ACT is overdue a maiden win and his experience over this distance should stand him in good stead. EUPHRATES and ITSNOWORNEVER venture into the unknown going this extended trip but both have shown enough to be competitive, if seeing out the extra. BLUE CRYSTAL, EMERALD CITY and SILENT FUTURE fit a similar profile and will likely fight out the minors.
Selections: #2 Heroic Act, #3 Itsnowornever, #1 Euphrates, #9 Silent Future
Vaal Classic, 23.10.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R80.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: INSTANT ATTRACTION who finished a game-in-defeat second after a break over 1800m. She ought to have tightened up since and with any improvement could go one better. Lightly raced MAJALUN acquitted himself well on his handicap debut over 2400m and should have more to offer, especially from an inside draw. Hard-knockers FLAG BEARER, VAVA VEGAS, POMOZELOUS and RED SPARROW have the form and experience to have a say in the outcome. THE MERCIFUL and CREPUSCOLO are capable of getting into the picture.
Selections: #4 Instant Attraction, #5 Majalun, #6 Flag Bearer, #9 Vava Vegas
Vaal Classic, 23.10.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Improving BELLEROPHON justified prohibitive odds with a runaway maiden success over 1500m and should have more to offer over this extended trip. JORDAN, DARK SILVER, THE PLAYBOY BOMBER and WARHAWK BOMBER return from respective absences but they all have the ability to keep the selection honest. UNSOLVED RIDDLE, AFTER HOURS and COPPOLA have a fitness edge over those rivals and the form to acquit themselves competitively.
Selections: #13 Bellerophon, #3 Jordan, #10 Unsolved Riddle, #8 Warhawk Bomber
Vaal Classic, 23.10.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R90.000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Unbeaten STORMY DAY has a big reputation and justified cramped odds in both outings. She beat the boys last time in a sprint after a break and is open to any amount of improvement over this extended trip against female-only opposition. It could pay to follow her progress. Best-weighted WORLD OF ALICE is versatile and runs well fresh, so she has to be respected on her reappearance with blinkers refitted. TINA LOVELACE and ELEGANTRIX both finished second at Grade 1 level during their juvenile campaign and, like the selection, have scope for further progress. HAZY DAZY isn’t taken lightly.
Selections: #4 Stormy Day, #1 World Of Alice, #6 Tina Lovelace, #3 Elegantrix
Vaal Classic, 23.10.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R100.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: PALACE PRINCE disappointed when stretching out to 1600m last time out but he could make amends back over this shorter trip. However, conceding 5kg to unexposed fellow 3yo NEVER NEVER LAND may prove a bridge too far. The latter confirmed the promise of his 1200m debut second with a going-away maiden win over 1400m and this slightly longer trip should be more to his liking. Last-start winner PRINCE OF KILDARE remains competitive under a resultant penalty and should play a role. BLOOMINGTON and STREWN SKY complete the shortlist.
Selections: #9 Never Never Land, #1 Palace Prince, #7 Prince Of Kildare, #4 Bloomington
Vaal Classic, 23.10.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Stablemates BANYAN and PIVOTAL ROLE have shown promise in their two outings over 1000m and both are open to improvement over the extra 200m, though preference is for the latter under just 49.5kg. Debut scorer ICE DRAGON could be anything and with natural improvement should make his presence felt. MISTER WILSON and returning SATYAGRAHA also have scope for progress so shouldn’t be underestimated.
Selections: #8 Pivotal Role, #2 Banyan, #5 Ice Dragon, #3 Mister Wilson
Vaal Classic, 23.10.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R110.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: CHROME TOURMALINE hasn’t been seen since finishing less than 5 lengths off the winner in a Grade 1 sprint during the winter, but she has the class to have a say in the outcome if ready to roll on after a 145-day absence. MYSTICAL MISS and CLAIRWOOD ROSE have a fitness edge on that rival and more scope for improvement, so they could fight out the finish. Returning JAZZ PIANIST is also respected on her reappearance after a last-start maiden win.
Selections: #4 Mystical Miss, #7 Clairwood Rose, #1 Chrome Tourmaline, #8 Jazz Pianist
Vaal Classic, 23.10.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: QUEEN’S PACT finished ahead of PARADISE WAY over this distance at a higher level last time and the former should confirm her superiority on these terms, with the benefit of her rider’s 4kg apprentice allowance. SHE’S ALL MINE has found her niche on the Highveld racing in sprints and could be ahead of the handicapper, even under a further 7-point penalty. Fellow last-start scorer MISS MUNROE, veteran IN THE ETHER and consistent hard-knocker TIME FOR CHARITY also have the ability to stake a claim. Top-weight RAINING RUBIES should be competitive too dropping in class.
Selections: #3 Queen’s Pact, #2 Paradise Way, #6 She’s All Mine, #1 Raining Rubies
Best Win: #2 HEROIC
Best Value Bet: #4 INSTANT ATTRACTION
Best Longshot: #4 INSTANT ATTRACTION
