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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2026.01.22
Vaal Classic, 22.01.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: REECE’S WISH wouldn’t be winning out of turn having finished second in each of her 3 starts. She won’t need to improve much to get her head in front. BLOOD OF EDEN, MASTER’S ROSE and UTSAAH have the form and experience to make life difficult for the selection.
Selections: #2 Reece’s Wish, #3 Blood Of Eden, #5 Master’s Rose, #4 Utsaah
Vaal Classic, 22.01.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT outran market expectations when finishing fourth on debut. He would’ve come on appreciably with the benefit of that experience and is open to any amount of improvement over this extended trip. KNOWMORE progressed well going 1400m again and he could also be better suited to the extra 200m. WORLD ORDER and INDIAN SPICE have shown enough to make their presence felt too.
Selections: #9 Gimmethespotlight, #11 Knowmore, #4 World Order, #6 Indian Spice
Vaal Classic, 22.01.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R120.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: HEROIC ACT and ASIAH’S TIARA are experienced maidens with solid form, especially over this distance. The latter’s sex allowance could give her the edge. Younger filly HAT AND HEELS could play a leading role if improving over this extended trip under a 4kg claimer. KAVOMOLKA is a maturing stayer with sufficient say in the outcome.
Selections: #12 Asiah’s Tiara, #13 Hat And Heels, #2 Heroic Act, #5 Kavomolka
Vaal Classic, 22.01.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R135.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Stablemates FUTURE DATE and FREE IN SEATTLE are consistent fillies with proven form over this trip and at this level. AZALEAS FOR ALL fits a similar profile but is engaged to run at an earlier meeting, so her participation must be monitored. ANCIENT WISDOM is other genuine each way chance.
Selections: #3 Future Date, #2 Free In Seattle, #8 Azaleas For All, #5 Ancient Wisdom
Vaal Classic, 22.01.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R105.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: GRACE’S KISS got going late to finish a close-up third over 1600m last time and, on the evidence of that performance, could be better suited to this extended trip. Class-dropper LADY BLUNT stretches out to this distance for the first time and will be aided by a 1 draw as well as her rider’s 1.5kg allowance. ALTA CAPITANA showed improvement with blinkers fitted last time and she’s another with scope to improve over this distance with the headgear retained. LITTLEMISSSPLENDID warrants respect too.
Selections: #4 Grace’s Kiss, #1 Lady Blunt, #5 Littlemisssplendid, #3 Alta Capitana
Vaal Classic, 22.01.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R150.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Versatile MAX THE MAGICIAN has maintained consistency over slightly further recently but the drop to this trip shouldn’t hold any fears and he can get his head back in front. SECRET CHORD finished a good second in a minor feature last time off a career-high mark. He carries a 2-point penalty for that effort but is clearly in good heart so has to be taken seriously. Maturing 3yo MISTER WILSON and lightly raced last-start scorer (returning from a break) IT’S PERSONAL are competitive off their current ratings.
Selections: #2 Max The Magician, #4 Secret Chord, #7 Mister Wilson, #8 It’s Personal
Vaal Classic, 22.01.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R200.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: TIN PAN ALLEY had legitimate excuses for his no-show in a Grade 2 last time. He should fare better in these calmer waters and is unbeaten over track and trip. Last-start scorer PRESSONREGARDLESS is at the top of his game and should remain competitive under a 5-point penalty. GREATERIX would have benefitted from a much-needed comeback outing and could improve to make his presence felt.
Selections: #2 Tin Pan Alley, #3 Pressonregardless, #1 Greaterix, #7 Bob’s Your Uncle
Vaal Classic, 22.01.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R135.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: CEUTA, SONIC JET and LAST CAR TO PASS bounced back to form last time and could pose a threat if reproducing similar performances. ARASHI isn’t taken lightly either off the career-low ratings.
Selections: #7 Last Car To Pass, #4 Sonic Jet, #11 Arashi, #3 Ceuta
Vaal Classic, 22.01.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R105.000, 16:55GMT+2
Race Summary: OPERA FAN capitalised on her drop in the ratings to win a similar contest last time and the resultant 4-point penalty is somewhat negated by her rider’s 1.5kg allowance, so another bold bid is expected. Class-dropper BRIGHT AND BRAZEN should fare better back against same-sex opposition with the aid of her rider’s 1.5kg claim. PLAY WITH THE WIND can get involved, as does FAIR PROPOSAL after an encouraging return to form recently at a higher level.
Selections: #4 Opera Fan, #1 Bright And Brazen, #7 Fair Proposal, #2 Play With The Wind
Best Win: #2 REECE’S WISH
Best Value Bet: #7 LAST CAR TO PASS
Best Longshot: #7 LAST CAR TO PASS
