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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL / DURBANVILLE@2026.01.17
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R130.000, 11:25GMT+2
Race Summary: CATFISH finished 2nd on debut, ahead of BUFFALO KING CODY, and could confirm his superiority with natural improvement expected. MOOSALEKKA will also know more about it after an introductory outing. However, a bigger threat could come from well-bred Rafeef debutante FLOWER ISLAND who benefits from a sex allowance. Watch the betting on fellow newcomers COUNT OF CAPRI and SHERLOCK HOMES.
Selections: #2 Catfish, #1 Buffalo King Cody, #6 Flower Island, #3 Count Of Capri
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R130.000, 12:00GMT+2
Race Summary: ZALATORIS makes his first start for the new stable and will appreciate the drop in class to a more suitable trip. Last-start winner CHAPBOOK has the form to be competitive, especially with weight off his back. THE LAST DUKE is distance suited and remains open to improvement so warrants respect. ANTONIO GAUDI and UMZINGELI WENYATHI are carded to run at earlier meetings but have means to get into the picture.
Selections: #1 Zalatoris, #3 The Last Duke, #2 Chapbook, #6 Umzingeli Wenyathi
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R150.000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: A hard race to assess. MY LUCKY CHARM has an earlier engagement and a bit to find at the weights but is open to improvement so dangerous to discount under bottom weight. TAEGAN’S CHAMP had legitimate excuses for a disappointing last run and should fare better in these calmer waters off a reduced mark. Consistent BRISTOL HERCULES finished ahead of that rival last time and has the form to fight out the finish. ZANTHAR could have a role to play if confirming the improvement of his latest outing.
Selections: #3 Bristol Hercules, #1 Taegan’s Champ, #6 My Lucky Charm, #4 Zanthar
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R125.000, 13:10GMT+2
Race Summary: OPEN HIGHWAY is at the top of his game and could have more to offer stretching beyond 1600m for the first time. Class-dropper ON TARGET bounced back to form last time and will benefit from his rider’s 4kg claim. TOMMY SHELBY, ROBERT BROWNING and GUERILLA WARFARE are hard-knockers who will be competitive if repeating improved recent performances. Progressive 3yo geldings BUDDY BOY and FORCE PUBLIQUE are open to improvement over this extended trip, so they have to enter calculations too.
Selections: #2 Open Highway, #1 On Target, #7 Buddy Boy, #3 Tommy Shelby
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R100.000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: REAL STUNNER acquitted himself competitively in a stronger race on handicap debut and a repeat of that effort off an unchanged mark could suffice. REPETITION caught the eye on his Highveld debut in the same race but is 1.5kg worse off. SKY PILLAR ROCK, ROMEO’S MAGIC and last-start winner CREPUSCOLO have the means to be competitive, as do class-dropper BELLEROPHON and recent maiden scorer COPPER CLIFF.
Selections: #2 Real Stunner, #3 Repetition, #4 Bellerophon, #7 Copper Cliff
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R90.000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: None of these inspires any confidence but it could be worth siding with GOLDEN ASPEN who has found form and consistency off her current mark. BLOOMINGTON, CAN’T CATCH ME and COMMANDER OF ALL are closely matched with the selection on recent form and also have the credentials to win a race of this nature. NORTHERN KITTEN makes most appeal of the remainder.
Selections: #6 Golden Aspen, #8 Commander Of All, #1 Bloomington, #9 Can’T Catch Me
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R225.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Good quality for a Listed race. ONE FINE WINTER was dual Grade 1 placed as a 2yo and confirmed that promise with a winning 3yo reappearance against male rivals. With further improvement expected, she will be hard to beat on favourable weight terms. Both ANCHORAGE and unbeaten RIFLE QUEEN have shown enough to make life difficult for the selection. PERFECT MIRACLE, MALIBU and JAZZ PIANIST can also get into the picture.
Selections: #1 One Fine Winter, #3 Anchorage, #4 Rifle Queen, #5 Perfect Miracle
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE, 17.01.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R140,000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: BIG DEAL must have a good winning chance in this field, he has run two excellent races in succession, he should be able to get the run of the race from a neat barrier draw, on his best form, he will be right there in the finish. BEHAVE HARRIS ran third in the same race as BIG DEAL on the 21st of December behind Influence, the yard is in great form at the moment, if this gelding brings his last two runs to the track on Saturday, he will be hard to beat. RED WAVE never runs a bad race, he is very consistent, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will be competitive. CARDINAL POINT caught the eye on debut when staying on well for fourth behind Rockanrollin, with natural improvement expected from this gelding, he will go close.
Selections: #1 BIG DEAL, #5 BEHAVE HARRIS, #9 RED WAVE, #4 CARDINAL POINT
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R125.000, 15:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Several with chances in a competitive lineup. Lightly raced XENOPHON is effective over this shorter trip and on current form should play a leading role. Last-start winners DONTSHOOTTHEBARMAN and PLUS FOUR remain competitive off their revised marks and will likely acquit themselves competitively too. VANAKKAM, HALBERDIER, KIA KAHA and returning CAROLINE ISLAND also have the means to make their presence felt.
Selections: #4 Xenophon, #3 Plus Four, #2 Rafa Bay, #1 Dontshootthebarman
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE, 17.01.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100,000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: VOLEGOV ran a nice race for fourth behind Influence on the 21st of December, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, from a neat draw, he must have a big winning chance in this open maiden event. PRINCE OF EGYPT has been rested and gelded, he stayed on well for fourth behind Objet D’Art on the 8th of November at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, on his best form, he can definitely trouble them in the finish. MEET THE KING is much better than his most recent start, ignore that run completely, now that he is back at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he can improve, watch him closely at a fair price. BLIZZARDBOY was beaten just over two lengths by Backinthefastlane on the 4th of January, unfortunately the wide draw here will make it tough for him, if he gets some luck in running, he should be able to sneak into the places.
Selections: #1 VOLEGOV, #5 PRINCE OF EGYPT, #8 MEET THE KING, #11 BLIZZARDBOY
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R112.500, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: MAVERICK QUEEN is very consistent and should make a bold bid at beating these rivals. CAPTAIN SELVIE may have just needed her last run and should contest the finish. QUIET WINTER has scope for improvement and was not beaten far last time out. PLAY WITH THE WIND has ability and would not be a surprise winner. CLAIRWOOD ROSE and WAITING ON CHARLIE are capable of running well.
Selections: #4 Maverick Queen, #8 Quiet Winter, #7 Captain Selvie, #11 Clairwood Rose
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE, 17.01.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R125,000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: SOUTH OF FRANCE will take lots of beating, she ran a great race for third behind Silver Salute on the 24th of December, the drop in trip to 1400m is key for this filly, and the blinkers have been fitted, she will be hard to beat from a good draw. GQEBERHA ran a cracker on debut, she finished second behind Malibu Blitz on the 24th of December, the wide draw will make life difficult for her, but she will love the step up in trip, include her into all bets. IONA CASTLE never runs a bad race, she is very consistent, if she gets some luck in running from a poor draw, she will be mighty competitive. RED TAFFETY will need to improve on her last performance, she was beaten just under seven lengths by Kubu on the 17th of December, if she brings her run on the 10th of November to the races on Saturday, she could sneak into the places at a nice price.
Selections: #4 SOUTH OF FRANCE, #10 GQEBERHA, #12 IONA CASTLE, #11 RED TAFFETY
Vaal, 17.01.2026, Race 10, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: A very tricky race. TIGER STORM is consistent and deserves a second winning turn. UNIVERSAL GIRL does look capable of better than her last run and could be a threat. MISTY METAL is not reliable but does know how to win races. LEGENDARY remains in good shape and can be a threat yet again. HIGHWAYTOTHESKY, TIME FOR CHARITY and PROPHET are all capable of earning some money when showing their best side.
Selections: #5 Tiger Storm, #8 Universal Girl, #1 Hathighwaytothesky, #3 Legendary
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE, 17.01.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R140,000, 17:00GMT+2
Race Summary: KELP FOREST quickened up beautifully to win a good race on the 10th of January, he was given three points for that win, if this race hasn’t come too soon for him, he can definitely win again from a good draw. ALL ABOUT AL stayed on well for third behind Palace Gift on the 24th of December, he is consistent and he tries hard, he will be right there in the finish again. SOOTY is much better than his recent form, even though he wants a bit further than 1000m, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be running on powerfully late, watch him at a big price. FLYING SOUTH finished just over three lengths behind True Horizon on the 4th of January, she won her maiden here at Hollywoodbets Durbanville beating a nice filly (Kattekwaadkwadraad) on the 18th of October, she is speedy, and she has a good draw, she might be able to get into the places with jockey Muzi Yeni.
Selections: #1 KELP FOREST, #6 ALL ABOUT AL, #2 SOOTY, #3 FLYING SOUTH
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE, 17.01.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R135,000, 17:35GMT+2
Race Summary: HUNGA TONGA finished just over four lengths behind Girl Magic on the 17th of December, she will get every chance in running from a neat draw, jockey Andrew Fortune knows this filly well, on her best form, she can win a race like this. KUBU won her maiden well on the 17th of December, she quickened away from her field impressively, she can only improve with more racing, include her into all bets. BOOZY SUSIE stayed on well for second behind Diamond Bomber on the 17th of December, she is a young filly that is still improving, there is no doubt that she has a winning chance in this field, her form is good. HAMPSTEAD HEATH is better than her recent start behind Girl Magic, she has dropped even further in the ratings, if she brings her best form to the track on Saturday, she can win.
Selections: #2 HUNGA TONGA, #5 KUBU, #6 BOOZY SUSIE, #4 HAMPSTEAD HEATH
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE, 17.01.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R80,000, 18:10GMT+2
Race Summary: GIN PALACE won her maiden in great fashion on the 26th of November at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she looks like the type that will keep improving with every start, jockey Andrew Fortune gets the ride on this well-bred filly on Saturday, she must have a big winning chance again. SILVER SALUTE quickened up strongly to win a beautiful race on the 24th of December, she loved the step up in trip on that occasion, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be powering home late, include her into all bets. LADY LOOK ALIKE ran a fair race for fourth behind True Horizon on the 4th of January, she will be cherry ripe for this race on Saturday, from a neat draw, she could be the value. MONEY EXTRACTOR stayed on well for second behind Astronomical Boy on the 17th of December, if she can build on that performance, she will have a strong place chance.
Selections: #5 GIN PALACE, #7 SILVER SALUTE, #1 LADY LOOK ALIKE, #3 MONEY EXTRACTOR
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE, 17.01.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R140,000, 18:45GMT+2
Race Summary: DEVIL A SAINT won a good race on the 24th of December, he was given three points for that win, he is in great form at the moment, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, he can definitely win again. CARRIACOU is much better than his recent run, he absolutely loves the 1400m trip, he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely. IN A TIMELY MANNER stayed on well for second behind Ignite The Fire on the 3rd of December, the wide draw in this race won’t make it easy for him, if he gets some luck early, he will be competitive. SOMMERSTERN won impressively on the 3rd of December, he could be anything, he quickens well and he looks progressive, he can win again from a good draw.
Selections:#8 DEVIL A SAINT, #5 CARRIACOU, #11 IN A TIMELY MANNER, #3 SOMMERSTERN
Best Win: #1 ONE FINE WINTER #4 SOUTH OF FRANCE
Best Value Bet: #6 GOLDEN ASPEN #5 GIN PALACE
Best Longshot: #6 GOLDEN ASPEN
