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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2026.05.05
Vaal, 05.05.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R125.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: An interesting opening event. Trainer Sean Tarry has his runners in good form. It will not be a surprise were One World Colt LUCKY AWESOME win on his debut. GUS ON THE BUS showed improvement last time out and could have more to offer. IMPRESSIVE is improving and only had one runner ahead of her last time. LIFE’S TREASURE has not been disgraced in two starts and can make the frame. WAR DOG is an Act Of War newcomer that has Keagan de Melo in the irons and could be a threat.
Selections: #3 Lucky Awesome, #5 Impressive, #7 Life’s Treasures, #2 Gus On The Bus
Vaal, 05.05.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R110.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: GIMMESUMLUV has been consistent without winning. She may be better over further but would certainly not be a surprise winner of this event. SAPPHIRE SUN tends to lack a strong finish but might play a minor role. MONEY GALORE needs to find a few lengths to win a race but does have a place chance. COOL REGGAE has held her form of late and can contest the finish once again. REGAL QUEEN showed improvement last time and could have more to offer.
Selections: #2 Gimmesumluv, #4 Cool Reggae, #6 Regal Queen, #1 Sapphire Sun
Vaal, 05.05.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: DESTINY’S DREAM showed good improvement on local debut. She can go one place better. BRIGITTE ANNE is consistent and could contest the finish once again. RENDEVOUS IN RIO is knocking hard at the door and a first victory should happen but she is returning from a break and may need this run. ERIK’S GIRL tends to lack a finish but might play a minor role. So too, for that matter could CHERICHERILADY. VINDOLANDA makes her debut and could be anything. SABALENKA has run well in both starts and would not be a surprise winner.
Selections: #1 Destiny’s Dream, #7 Sabalenka, #2 Brigitte Anne, #3 Rendevous In Rio
Vaal, 05.05.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R115.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: A competitive leg of the Pick 6. Three of these runners all found one better on debut so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. SANDS OF VALHALLA, a two-year-old colt, ran a cracker on debut two weeks ago and could prove best. PERIODIC TABLE did not attract any betting support on debut but did chase home an easy winner and is a year older than that rival. CAPTAIN COOPER was slowly away on debut so did well to get as close as he did to the winner and he deserves the utmost respect. HIGHWAYMAN HARRY is consistent and can also get involved with the finish yet again.
Selections: #11 Sands Of Valhalla, #7 Periodic Table, #8 Captain Cooper, #1 Highwayman Harry
Vaal, 05.05.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R120.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: A very open leg of the Pick 6 and it may pay to go very wide in this particular leg. DANTE’S BOND is carded to run on 30 April but does have claims in this line-up. ROMILLY is not reliable but is capable of scoring. RUSSIAN NOBILITY has shown talent in her two starts but is returning from a short break. TURBO POWER is not reliable but is distance suited. SALUTE THE FLAG and SAKETINI have shown improved form of late and are not out of it. GEOSTORM and PLUMBAGO PARK are both arriving for this race after solid wins and are clearly to be included in all bets.
Selections: #5 Dante’s Bond, #13 Plumbago Park, #8 Saketini, #10 Geostorm
Vaal, 05.05.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R110.000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Another open handicap. PARIS FUN looked an improved filly when scoring last time and could double up on that but she has had a 2 month break since then. MISS NOVAX is consistent but was a disappointment last time out when a well beaten third. FIRE IN HER SOUL is talented but returns from a short break and will have her fitness tested. RINGA RINGA ROSES could be the pick of the three Lucky Houdalakis runners as she does have Craig Zackey aboard. She is in good form and quite capable of scoring. WISE COUNSEL, TOP SHELF TEDDY and LADY SABRINA are capable of improvement and deserve respect.
Selections: #7 Paris Fun, #6 Miss Novax, #2 Fire In Her Soul, #3 Ringa Ringa Roses
Vaal, 05.05.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: The penny seems to have dropped for GREENANDGOLD and she was full of running last time out. The filly can start making inroads into her sale price and she looks to be on a fair opening mark with improvement likely. SHIVERING LIGHT was successful on debut and could be anything. Stable companion HEAVENLY GOOD has held form and could earn some money. UTSAAH picked up a confidence-boosting maiden win and can still improve. SOUTHAMPTON and EIGHT HATS have shown improved form of late and must be respected. KYLIE’S ANGEL is capable of doing better and has a place chance.
Selections: #7 Greenandgold, #8 Southampton, #10 Eight Hats, #2 Shivering Light
Best Win: #7 GREENANDGOLD
Best Longshot: #7 PARIS FUN
