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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2026.01.24
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R130.000, 11:40GMT+2
Race Summary: GIMME A VODKA was touched off on debut over a shorter trip and won’t need to improve much with that experience under the belt to go one better. DADS DREAM finished ahead of newcomer THEODORE ROOSEVELD last time and should have the measure of that rival again. Both should have more to offer over this extended trip. Newcomers MAGIC PATH and NIGHTSHINE are worth a market check on debut.
Selections: #3 Gimme A Vodka, #1 Dads Dream, #5 Nightshine, #4 Magic Path
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 12:10GMT+2
Race Summary: LOLLY WILLOWES outran market expectations when finishing ahead of MASTER’S LADY last time. She’s open to further improvement but the experienced latter will probably be more effective given a patient ride, so she could be worth another chance. Newcomers MISS FANTASTIC and VYFSTER are bred to be useful so any market support would speak volumes of their chances on debut.
Selections: #1 Master’s Lady, #11 Lolly Willowes, #12 Miss Fantastic, #14 Vyfster
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R120.000, 12:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Runner-up in both starts after he was gelded, well-related STONEYWOOD will be hard to beat with any improvement over this extended trip in his peak outing. TASKMASTER, back from a break and returning BALULE have the form and experience to pose a threat. TRACKSUIT DAVE will know more about after a pleasing introduction so could get into the picture too.
Selections: #2 Stoneywood, #1 Taskmaster, #8 Balule, #13 Tracksuit Dave
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100.000, 13:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Class-dropper ROCKAROUNDTHECLOCK who was backed to win a stronger contest last time and races off an unchanged mark with the benefit of a 2.5kg apprentice claim. PEREGRINE FALCON and ROYAL HORIZON are consistent performers at this level with solid form credentials, so their chances have to be respected. PHALA MILLIONS, with shoes refitted also has the means to make the presence felt.
Selections: #2 Rockaroundtheclock, #4 Peregrine Falcon, #14 Royal Horizon, #15 Phala Millions
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R110.000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Consistent ARLINGTON ACTION bounced back to form at this level over the same trip last time and a repeat of that effort may well suffice. Veteran BANHA BRIDGE is distance suited and is likely to remain competitive off a reduced mark. POMOZELOUS is also weighted to play leading roles. MILITARY MOVES could have more to offer over this trip.
Selections: #1 Arlington Action, #2 Banha Bridge, #4 Military Moves, #10 Pomozelous
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R225.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Last-start winner ROYAL INVITATION and runner-up POPLAR PARK (2kg better off) are distance suited and at the top of their games, so they ought to play leading roles on current form. KISSING MACHINE and LITTLEMISSSPLENDID also have the means to have a say in the outcome. Good race!
Selections: #2 Royal Invitation, #5 Poplar Park, #8 Kissing Machine, #10 Littlemisssplendid
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R250.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: The 2nd of 2 Listed races and THE ULTIMATE KING is hard to oppose on the evidence of his last-start 3rd in the Grade 1 Summer Cup, even under a 2-point penalty. BUSTER BARNES caught the eye when a fast-finishing 3rd in a 1600m Listed event last time and this extended trip may be more to his liking. Last-start winner GERBERA competitive off the current marks, as does versatile PIONEER SQUARE who will appreciate the extended trip.
Selections: #1 The Ultimate King, #5 Buster Barnes, #8 Gerbera, #9 Pioneer Square
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R100.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Recent winners TROMBOLINES and JAFFA impressed with maiden victories over shorter and they remain open to improvement stretching out to this trip. The latter’s stablemate, TOMMY ATKINS, however, appears the pick of the Alec Laird runners on riding arrangements. PRINCE OF KILDARE is consistent who has to prove and effective beyond 1600m.
Selections: #2 Trombolines, #6 Jaffa, #4 Tommy Atkins, #5 Prince Of Kildare
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R160.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: YIPPEE KIYAY stayed on to finish 4th in a 3yo Grade 3 over the same trip and a repeat of that effort off an unchanged mark should suffice. Fellow sophomore PALACE PRINCE concedes 2kg but has both the form and experience to make life difficult for the selection. Best-weighted TOO LATE MY MATE is consistent and ideally distance suited so must be taken seriously, especially under a 2.5kg claimer. FRANCILIEN appeal most of the remainder.
Selections: #4 Yippee Kiyay, #2 Palace Prince, #9 Too Late My Mate, #5 Francilien
Vaal, 24.01.2026, Race 10, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 16:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Maturing MATTIAZO was a fluent winner against male opposition last time and a hefty 8-point penalty isn’t likely to halt her momentum back in same-sex company. Last-start course-and-distance winner CAN’T CATCH ME and runner-up GOLDEN ASPEN (1.5kg better off) arrive in good form and are likely to pose a threat in receipt of weight from the selection. MADAME POMPADOUR has Quartet claims.
Selections: #4 Mattiazo, #8 Golden Aspen, #10 Can’T Catch Me, #12 Madame Pompadour
Best Win: #3 GIMME A VODKA
Best Value Bet: #2 ROCKAROUNDTHECLOCK
Best Longshot: #2 ROCKAROUNDTHECLOCK
