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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2026.01.15
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 11:40GMT+2
Race Summary: This won’t take much winning, so INDIAN SPICE needn’t improve a great deal on what he’s shown to land the spoils. SAMUEL SHARPE will know more about it after an encouraging debut and subsequent gelding, so he could fight out the finish. GIFT OF ROYAL and JABBERWOCKY complete the shortlist.
Selections: #5 Indian Spice, #8 Samuel Sharpe, #2 Gift Of Royal, #3 Jabberwocky
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R120.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: QUICKFREEZE finished second on debut ahead of SKY PILOT and could go one better with natural improvement. QUEVANO has the form and experience to be competitive, though newcomer SOSORU could also play a leading role, especially if the market speaks in his favour.
Selections: #5 Quickfreeze, #4 Quevano, #1 Sky Pilot, #6 Sosoru
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: ANAHITA has been costly to follow over further, but this shorter trip could be more to her liking. PRECOCIOUS and ELEGANT EDGE have shown enough to keep the selection honest. However, a bigger threat will likely come from well-bred newcomer GIMMESUMLUV.
Selections: #2 Anahita, #9 Gimmesumluv, #1 Precocious, #8 Elegant Edge
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R110.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: CARTAGENA showed her form and well-being when winning over this trip last time and a 5-point penalty isn’t likely to prevent another forward showing. LAVA LAMP is better than her last start and her rider’s 4kg allowance will help. ARLINGTON ACTION and CHABAL are also capable stayers with the means to have a say in the outcome.
Selections: #4 Cartagena, #1 Lava Lamp, #3 Chabal, #2 Arlington Action
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R125.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: PALACE ATTACK, BELLEROPHON and LITTLEMISSSPLENDID are closely matched on recent form and there shouldn’t be much separating the trio on these terms. TITANS OF WAR is in good form and likely to aquit himself competitively too.
Selections: #12 Littlemisssplendid, #11 Bellerophon, #8 Titans Of War, #7 Palace Attack
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R160.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: GIMMETHEGOODLIFE and LEAD THE CHARGE are closely matched on recent form over 1000m. Both are equally adept over this extended trip so should be competitive. Hat-trick seeking ROCKAROUNDTHECLOCK has more to do at this level but is progressive, while hard-knocker BLACK EGRET is dangerous to discount with alumites refitted.
Selections: #1 Gimmethegoodlife, #3 Lead The Charge, #2 Black Egret, #7 Rockaroundtheclock
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R125.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: ESQUEVELLE was narrowly beaten in a similar contest last time and a repeat of that performance off an unchanged mark under a 4kg claimer should suffice. RAFA BAY and ANTONIO GAUDI arrive in good form and will likely play leading roles too. ENSUING also has the mean to make their presence felt.
Selections: #2 Esquevelle, #4 Rafa Bay, #5 Antonio Gaudi, #3 Ensuing
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R130.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: WINDS OF CHANGE is weighted to win but untried over this extended trip. He is closely related to Grade 1 performers over 2000m so this distance could be within his compass. Recently gelded KING HARALD, last-start winner VAMANOS has no issues over this trip so will make life difficult for the selection. CLEVER TREVOR has earning potential too.
Selections: #1 Winds Of Change, #6 King Harald, #3 Clever Trevor, #8 Vamanos
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R112.500, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Hard-knocker AZALEAS FOR ALL and NKWENKWEZI have the form and experience at this level that stand them in good stead. Younger fillies AQUARIUS and OPEN SESAME remain open to improvement but have shown enough to be competitive.
Selections: #2 Nkwenkwezi, #1 Azaleas For All, #6 Aquarius, #3 Open Sesame
Vaal Classic, 15.01.2026, Race 10, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100.000, 16:55GMT+2
Race Summary: MY LUCKY CHARM won his only appearance over this distance, so he ought to capitalise on this ease in grade and rating drop. UNSOLVED RIDDLE and PRINCE OF KILDALE are all older hard-knockers with the form and experience at this level to pose a threat.
Selections: #9 My Lucky Charm, #6 Mocha Frappe, #7 Prince Of Kildare, #2 Unsolved Riddle
Best Win: #2 ANAHITA
Best Value Bet: #12 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID
Best Longshot: #12 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID
