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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2026.06.18
Vaal, 18.06.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 11:50GMT+2
Race Summary: VIXENINTHEVINEYARD has been costly to follow but wouldn’t be winning out of turn. The removal of cheekpieces over this shorter trip will suit so she is worth another chance. COVER CHARGE shaped better over this distance last time and should be competitive, especially with the benefit of his rider’s 1.5kg allowance. BEACH WALKER and CUZZIE also have the form and experience to have a say.
Selections: #5 Vixeninthevineyard, #1 Beach Walker, #9 Cover Charge, #2 Cuzzie
Vaal, 18.06.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R105.000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: IMPRESSIVE lost little in defeat last time against male opposition over this distance in KZN and a repeat of that performance back in same-sex company could suffice. TREX ON FIRE acquitted herself well in both outings and has shown enough to pose a threat. KNOCKIN’ BOOTS and BE THE ONE are likely improvers over this extended trip so have to be respected. BLOW MY TOP, GO FOR BROKE, LA PARISIENNE and PILATES are bred to be useful so worth a market check on debut.
Selections: #5 Impressive, #12 Trex On Fire, #2 Blow My Top, #4 Go For Broke
Vaal, 18.06.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R125.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Well-bred HIGH FIDELITY was supported on debut and showed promise. With that experience under the belt and any amount of improvement expected over this extended trip, it could pay to follow his progress. KOVIL and LUCKY AWESOME fit a similar profile and should make their presence felt in receipt of weight from the selection. RAPTOR KING was a beaten short-priced favourite last time but had legitimate excuses that day, so he cannot be overlooked. CAPTAIN COOPER and SHINING STAR are other likely improvers to consider. Watch the betting on newcomers TROJAN HORSE, SPY CATCHER and DUKE OF LORRAINE.
Selections: #6 High Fidelity, #8 Lucky Awesome, #7 Kovil, #10 Raptor King
Vaal, 18.06.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R135.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Many with chances in a big field but the value could lie with recently gelded 3yo QUICKFREEZE whose best races were run in this headgear configuration. Last-start winners MASTERSHIP, FULLY LOADED and BRISTOL HERCULES remain competitive under resultant penalties. WAYNE is another lightly raced 3yo with the means to make his presence felt. BIRTHRIGHT, THE AFRICA HOUSE and DIWALI ROCKET can also get into the picture.
Selections: #13 Quickfreeze, #7 Fully Loaded, #15 Bristol Hercules, #1 Mastership
Vaal, 18.06.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R110.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Progressive GREEN MACHINE made a winning post-maiden debut over this distance and a 4-point hike may not be enough to prevent him completing the hat-trick. SAMUEL SHARPE was beaten by that rival in a 2000m maiden and is better off at the weights. There should be little between the pair on these terms but the value lies with the improving latter. REPETITION won his only outing over this trip so has to be respected, along with DJ JUNIOR and SPECIAL STAR. Hard-knockers WE ARE THE LOGANS, ARLINGTON ACTION, CHABAL and FULL GO have earning potential too.
Selections: #11 Samuel Sharpe, #4 Green Machine, #10 Repetition, #5 Dj Junior
Vaal, 18.06.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R120.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Well-bred import HARRY NYQUIST could hardly have been more impressive on debut over 1160m. He showed enough pace that day to suggest that he will be equally effective over this shorter trip on his reappearance following a lengthy absence. Youngster HEATH HOUSE lost his unbeaten record in a 1160m feature last time. He is undefeated over this distance and should be competitive, though does carry a big weight against useful older rivals. IT’S PERSONAL, HIS LORDSHIP and TWENTYTWENTYVISION are also competitive on current form.
Selections: #4 Harry Nyquist, #1 Heath House, #9 Twentytwentyvision, #2 It’s Personal
Vaal, 18.06.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R110.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Last-start winners DIMAKO’S JET and PALACE DANCER return from respective absences but remain competitive under resultant penalties. Lightly raced 3yo SCARLET O’HARA, another recent scorer, fits a similar profile and will likely make her presence felt. Class-dropper WILLY MEET AGAIN, returning ANCIENT WISDOM and BACK FROM WAR, off a career-low mark, aren’t taken lightly either.
Selections: #3 Dimako’s Jet, #5 Palace Dancer, #8 Ancient Wisdom, #9 Scarlet O’Hara
Vaal, 18.06.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R100.000, 15:55GMT+2
Race Summary: MIRACULOUS MOMENT was an impressive maiden winner over 1600m before a 10-week break. She remains open to further improvement on her handicap debut but conceding weight from a wide draw won’t be an easy task. GLAMOROUS LADY has the form and experience to play a role but her fitness will be tested after a 103-day absence. REFLECTIVE would’ve benefitted from a much-needed comeback run over 1450m and this extended trip will be more to her liking. KORTVANDRAAD was a fast-finishing second in a similar contest last time and she should go close with a repeat of that effort. BE MY FATE can have a say too.
Selections: #5 Kortvandraad, #4 Reflective, #9 Be My Fate, #1 Miraculous Moment
Vaal, 18.06.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R100.000, 16:30GMT+2
Race Summary: SKY PILOT was a last-to-first winner of a 1400m maiden last time, suggesting the step up to this trip will likely bring about further improvement. POMPEII SHIELD acquitted himself well in a stronger race on handicap debut so should have a role to play from gate one off an unchanged mark. GUERILLA WARFARE and REDLIGHTGREENLIGHT are closely matched on recent form. Both can get involved. BEST CANDIDATE and TERRENCE are better than their disappointing latest outings and could have a say if bouncing back to earlier form. SPACE MISSION, ZIP CODE and AMERICAN REBEL can also earn.
Selections: #4 Sky Pilot, #8 Pompeii Shield, #5 Guerilla Warfare, #7 Redlightgreenlight
Best Win: #4 SKY PILOT
Best Value Bet: #11 SAMUEL SHARPE
Best Longshot: #11 SAMUEL SHARPE
