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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2026.02.05
Vaal Classic, 05.02.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R100.000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: ANNEWITHAN E caught the eye when staying on to finish third in this headgear last time and she won’t need to improve much on that effort in her peak outing to resume winning ways. FALCONFLY was a fast-finishing third over 1600m on her handicap debut and she remains open to improvement over this extended trip. PEACE TREATY and CREPUSCOLO are all engaged to run at earlier meetings but would be competitive if taking their place.
Selections: #2 Annewithan E, #6 Falconfly, #5 Peace Treaty, #9 Crepuscolo
Vaal Classic, 05.02.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 13:10GMT+2
Race Summary: UTSAAH improved in first-time blinkers to finish a career-best second over track and trip last time and a repeat of that performance should suffice. Stablemate GREENSIDE GIRL is held on that form but open to improvement in just her third outing. WINTER WEDDING could have more to offer over this extended trip, so could get into the picture. MADE TO MEASURE completes the shortlist.
Selections: #1 Utsaah, #7 Greenside Girl, #2 Made To Measure, #4 Winter Wedding
Vaal Classic, 05.02.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: INDIAN SPICE hit the frame in both course-and-distance appearances with blinkers fitted, and he sets the standard on the strength and consistency of that form. TERRENCE failed to confirm the promise of his debut over 1160m last time but the step up to this trip should, on pedigree, be more to his liking. Returning PALACE GUARD (gelded) and unexposed SMUGGLER remain open to improvement too.
Selections: #1 Indian Spice, #10 Terrence, #3 Palace Guard, #9 Smuggler
Vaal Classic, 05.02.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R135.000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Muzi Yeni rode FUTURE DATE and DIMAKO’S JET to last-start victories so his decision to stick with the latter is significant. ART NOUVEAU and stablemate ANCIENT WISDOM are closely matched with those rivals on recent form and are weighted to be competitive on these revised terms.
Selections: #2 Dimako’s Jet, #1 Future Date, #5 Art Nouveau, #6 Ancient Wisdom
Vaal Classic, 05.02.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R105.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: LADY BLUNT and MERRYWEATHER won at this level last time and should remain competitive off resultant penalties. The latter remains open to improvement and this extended trip could be more to her liking. The step up to this distance should also suit KENSAL GREEN whose fast-finishing second over a shorter trip last time was encouraging. SURPRISE PARTY also have solid claims.
Selections: #3 Merryweather, #10 Kensal Green, #2 Lady Blunt, #5 Surprise Party
Vaal Classic, 05.02.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R155.000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: MONEY HEIST was touched off at level weights by a progressive 3yo in a stronger contest over 1450m last time. He is equally adept over this extended trip so should be hard to beat off the same mark with a 4kg claimer engaged. WAYNE had legitimate excuses for his no-show in a 3yo Grade 3 last time, and the step up to this distance with a tongue-tie fitted could unlock any amount of improvement. PLAYER and MAX THE MAGICIAN are consistent hard-knockers with legitimate earning potential.
Selections: #1 Money Heist, #8 Wayne, #3 Max The Magician, #7 Player
Vaal Classic, 05.02.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R105.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: NEVER NEVER LAND was backed and won full of running over 1200m last time and a 3-point penalty isn’t likely to halt his momentum over this extended trip. Consistent PEREGRINE FALCON stayed on encouragingly to finish a close-up third over 1200m in first-time blinkers (retained) and a repeat of that effort will put him right in the firing line. Recent scorers GULF OF AMERICA and LIBECCIO aren’t taken lightly either off their revised ratings.
Selections: #2 Never Never Land, #6 Peregrine Falcon, #9 Gulf Of America, #11 Libeccio
Vaal Classic, 05.02.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: PRECOCIOUS was an easy winner on her Highveld debut after a layoff and she is open to any amount of improvement, especially with a 4kg claimer taking weight off the back. PIVOTAL ROLE confirmed the promise of his debut second with a last-start maiden win over 1000m. He hasn’t been seen since but is unexposed and would’ve strengthened during his time off. LONELY AS A CLOUD and BLINDFIRE can have a say in the outcome if building on the improvement of their recent outings.
Selections: #1 Precocious, #2 Pivotal Role, #4 Lonely As A Cloud, #5 Blindfire
Best Win: #1 MONEY HEIST
Best Value Bet: #3 MERRYWEATHER
Best Longshot: #3 MERRYWEATHER
