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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2026.03.31
Vaal, 31.03.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R120.000, 12:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Trainer Sean Tarry could start the day off nicely with VIKING LASS who turned in a fair effort on debut. She ran on well to finish second and has improvement to come. ELUSIVE DRAGON looks a distinct threat. She made good improvement on her debut outing to finish runner-up and if not in need of even further could take it to the wire. She finished well ahead of SECRET LIFE, STAR MAGNOLIA (well backed) and MOLTEN ROCK, but all have scope to improve.
Selections: #11 Viking Lass, #3 Elusive Dragon, #10 Star Magnolia, #7 Platinum Shay
Vaal, 31.03.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R130.000, 12:40GMT+2
Race Summary: It could get close between KUDIKARAN and SHERLOCK HOLMES but there are also first-timers in the hunt. The former, who showed promise on debut when meeting a high-class individual or two, is a gelded son of The United States. He will go ground in time but must nevertheless be in with a chance. SHERLOCK HOLMES was outpaced by a fair sort very late last time. He could show the strength of that form but needs to behave at the start. Malmoos gelding LIFE IN COLOUR and Erik The Red colt CAPTAIN COOPER have speed in their genes and could attract support.
Selections: #7 Kudikaran, #12 Sherlock Holmes, #9 Life In Colour, #3 Captain Cooper
Vaal, 31.03.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R120.000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: A small field but a race where anything can happen. HEROIC ACT must have a chance as he ran one of his best races last time and looks well placed. But he has had 24 attempts to crack his maiden and is one to be wary of. GREEN MACHINE hasn’t done badly and could be ready for a career best effort in his third run after a rest. THOONSIL has something to find with HEROIC ACT on the last meeting but that was his first run after gelding and he didn’t get the best of starts. He should be at peak fitness now. COMIC ARTIST can build on a creditable last effort.
Selections: #1 Green Machine, #3 Heroic Act, #2 Thoonsil, #6 Comic Artist
Vaal, 31.03.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R105.000, 13:50GMT+2
Race Summary: FUTURE GAMBLE can make amends after finishing second best in her last two starts. She gives the impression she will have no problem with the 2000m trip. LANTERI has three lengths to find with FUTURE GAMBLE in her first try over the distance. She could get a bit closer. VIXENINTHEVINEYARD has given cheek at times and is holding her form well. She could get her consistency rewarded. COOL REGGAE ran an encouraging race last time and is one to consider along with VILLARRICA who finished well behind her but may have more to come.
Selections: #1 Future Gamble, #2 Lanteri, #4 Vixeninthevineyard, #6 Villarrica
Vaal, 31.03.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R120.000, 14:25GMT+2
Race Summary: William Longsword colt POMPEII SHIELD has been knocking at the door and it is about time that it opened for him. He looks capable of handling the distance and he can go one better after finishing runner up in his last two starts. ROYALE JACKET had excuses last time. He is proven over 1700m and more and could bounce back to form. Watch out for SIVAJI who made improvement from run one to two. He could be looking for the trip. GIMMESUMLUV has lacked extra over shorter but is holding form and will be looking to get the timing right.
Selections: #2 Pompeii Shield, #1 Royale Jacket, #8 Sivaji, #9 Gimmesumluv
Vaal, 31.03.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R90.000, 15:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Lower division handicap and it could pay to go wide in the exotic bets. There shouldn’t be much to choose between ITSNOWORNEVER and SIX OF ALL. The latter finished ahead of the former but had a plum gate then. Both ran decent races and look to have fair claims. If INSTANT ATTRACTION is ready after a short break she could make them run. Her penultimate effort entitles her to the utmost respect but she has a wide draw to overcome. HAT FURIOUS has been thereabouts from wide draws and again will need some luck. THAMBI is one of many with an upset chance.
Selections: #6 Itsnowornever, #1 Six Of All, #4 Instant Attraction, #9 Hat Furious
Vaal, 31.03.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R125.000, 15:35GMT+2
Race Summary: WARNING LIGHT came from too far back last time. He is improving with each start and should relish the step up in distance. Trainer Stuart Pettigrew has two with decent chances in ORANGE COUNTY and MOUNT DARWIN. The former is in good form but has been a bit unlucky. He has drawn towards the outside and may have his work cut out. MOUNT DARWIN has run some promising races in tough contests and would be deserving if ready after a rest. GOT THE FEELING and RINGA RINGA ROSES can’t be faulted and need to be considered.
Selections: #9 Warning Light, #11 Orange County, #4 Mount Darwin, #7 Ringa Ringa Roses
Vaal, 31.03.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R160.000, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: PALACE PRINCE did well with top weight in his last start. He should prefer the step up in trip and should run well again. CHAMPION WARRIOR sets the standard. He is a course specialist and very capable sort on his day. He races for a yard in hot form and must be taken seriously. It doesn’t end there. CEUTA is unbeaten in two runs at this venue and is best weighted. She should have every chance as her last run was creditable. CARE FORGOT has won two in a row in convincing fashion but will need to find a bit more to win again. ROBERT BROWNING could be the dark horse.
Selections: #1 Palace Prince, #4 Champion Warrior, #8 Ceuta, #2 Care Forgot
Vaal, 31.03.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100.000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Wide-open handicap to end and it could worth catching the Quartet. EL ZANI has only had two starts and showed some ability. She should prefer the extra and more in time to come. ROMILLY has run well in stronger and can enjoy the drop in class. But she needs to jump well and get going in time. READY SET FIRE has not been easy to follow but it could be the right race for him. KOTINOS has given signs that his next win can’t be far off. DUCHESS ZAHRA has done little wrong and can make improvement. PLUMBAGO PARK and SPY STORY could suddenly show up. More in it.
Selections: #1 El Zani, #2 Romilly, #10 Ready Set Fire, #18 Kotinos
Best Win: #1 FUTURE GAMBLEĀ
Best Value Bet: #6 ITSNOWORNEVER
Best Longshot: #6 ITSNOWORNEVER
