Download your South Africa racing information for FREE now:
RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2026.03.24
Vaal, 24.03.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R95.000, 12:00GMT+2
Race Summary: DUCHESS DI may have just needed her last run. She should strip fitter this time and does look the right one in a small field. EMPRESS WU was not too far of that rivals last time but DUCHESS DI does have more scope for improvement. CHERICHERILADY makes her local debut but is returning from a lengthy break. HURRICANE POWER is not reliable but she is not out of it over this course and distance. ADA LOVELACE and BELLA BOOP BOOP need to find a few lengths to win but can earn some more money.
Selections: #1 Duchess Di, #3 Hurricane Power, #6 Bella Boop Boop, #4 Empress Wu
Vaal, 24.03.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R120.000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: An interesting race as it is a small field and the pace may be slow. EMERALD CITY has struggled this year but did run well over this distance twice last year and can bounce back to score. COMIC ARTIST showed improvement last time out and will be looking to go one better trying this longer distance. SAMUEL SHARPE steps up in distance and would not be a surprise winner. THOONSIL is very one-paced but can be a threat to these rivals. FLYING PREDATOR returns from a break but is stepping up in distance so can improve.
Selections: #3 Emerald City, #5 Comic Artist, #1 Samuel Sharpe, #2 Thoonsil
Vaal, 24.03.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R120.000, 13:10GMT+2
Race Summary: SOSORU showed good improvement from his debut to his second run. He should go one better this time around. HAMMER BLOW is unreliable but was not too far behind that rival last time out and could chase him home again. SCORPIO has flopped twice in a row but could like it back at this course and has a place chance. ISAAC STEPHAN was well beaten last time out but is capable of improvement. ELEGANT EDGE and ARTIFACT are also capable of improving and getting into the frame.
Selections: #7 Sosoru, #1 Hammer Blow, #8 Elegant Edge, #2 Scorpio
Vaal, 24.03.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R160.000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: A very open first leg of the Pick 6. KING’S EXPRESS is not reliable but is coming off a good recent performance and is capable of winning a race like this. HAWKBILL is unreliable but was a good winner last time out and must be respected for that. OPEN HIGHWAY reminded us what he is capable of with a good win last time out and may well follow up if in the same mood. FULLY LOADED may not have liked the soft track last time out and was a solid winner of his penultimate start. GOLDEN WARRIOR drops in class and could surprise. THE PLAYBOY BOMBER and ROBERT BROWNING have been consistent of late and should be included in all perms.
Selections: #1 King’s Express, #2 Hawkbill, #13 Robert Browning, #12 The Playboy Bomber
Vaal, 24.03.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R90.000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: A very weak race and we will need to go as wide as possible to survive this leg of the Pick 6. BLOOMINGTON is on a long losing run but can certainly win a race of this nature. GOLDEN ASPEN is usually not far behind and does go well for jockey Marco van Rensburg. PROPHET is not the force he was in his young days but can earn some money. LAST GINGER and PRETTY ANALIA have both been unreliable of late but might surprise. SHEETS AND GOGGLES and ITSNOWORNEVER are both arriving for this after improved performances. VAVA VEGAS and MAJALUN are two others worth including.
Selections: #1 Bloomington, #2 Golden Aspen, #5 Last Ginger, #6 Pretty Analia
Vaal, 24.03.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R125.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: GOLDEN OPERATOR goes well for jockey Craig Zackey. He is carded to wear blinkers for the first time and that can spark another victory. MOUNT DARWIN seems better than his last run and has a place chance. GOT THE FEELING showed improvement last time out and should be right there at the finish once again. TURBO POWER is not reliable but has a place chance on best form. ORANGE COUNTY is consistent and clearly not out of it. GREENLIGHT RACER has some solid recent wins and could complete a hat-trick. EIFFEL TOWER is always capable of running into the money.
Selections: #5 Golden Operator, #8 Greenlight Racer, #2 Got The Feeling, #11 Eiffel Tower
Vaal, 24.03.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Another very open looking handicap. AMERICAN BEAUTY makes her local debut and the stable has a very good record with horses they get from the Western Cape so she would not be a surprise winner. Stable companion ANCIENT WISDOM is clearly better than her last run would suggest and should also be included in all bets. PLAY WITH FIRE is unreliable but is also not out of it. PRINCESS ILARIA showed improvement last time and has a place chance. GRACE’S KISS has some fair form and should be a threat to these rivals. DONDOYAKI is better than her last run on the Polytrack and can get involved with the finish.
Selections: #8 American Beauty, #5 Grace’s Kiss, #11 Dondoyaki, #1 Ancient Wisdom
Vaal, 24.03.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R120.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: A very big field but it might be worth going for DANTE’S BOND. He impressed on local debut and could be well ahead of his current merit rating. UMZINGELI WENYATHI has been at his best this distance but does give weight to his rivals. IT’S PERSONAL and ANTONIO GAUDI have both held their form well enough and are clearly not out of it. MONKEY PUZZLE is not reliable but is coming off a confidence-boosting victory. ROMILLY seems capable of better and should be included in all permutations. XENOPHON is a reserve runner but would not be a surprise winner if he actually takes part.
Selections: #9 Dante’s Bond, #1 Umzingeli Wenyathi, #18 Xenophon, #2 It’s Personal
Vaal, 24.03.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: A very difficult last race handicap. TAKING A RISK was not beaten far in her last two starts and could win a race of this nature. PALACE REVOLT is not reliable but is also not out of it at this level. TIGER STORM seems better than his last run and does like this track. PHALA MILLIONS is at his best at this course and can get into the mix of things. KOTINOS is clearly not an easy ride but was too far out of his ground last time out and could be competitive. JET CAT won a good race last time and has a place chance. LILAC SNOW, ORIENTAL BOUQUET and KYLIE’S ANGEL have all done enough of late to threaten.
Selections: #6 Taking A Risk, #7 Palace Revolt, #10 Kotinos, #11 Jet Cat
Best Win: #7 SOSORU
Best Longshot: #6 TAKING A RISKĀ
