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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2026.06.25
Vaal Classic, 25.06.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R125.000, 12:00GMT+2
Race Summary: MOLTEN ROCK has run well in defeat against useful opposition over this trip so sets the standard on the strength of that form and in receipt of weight from male counterparts KWAITO and returning (as a gelding) THEODORE ROOSEVELD. Well-bred SUMMERFEST warrants respect, as does well-related newcomer VISION OF GOLD who is worth a market check on debut.
Selections: #8 Molten Rock, #2 Echo Of The Wild, #11 Vision Of Gold, #5 Theodore Rooseveld
Vaal Classic, 25.06.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R110.000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: SNAP YOUR FINGERS was a beaten favourite in a 2yo winners’ race last time but needs only to repeat the performance of her debut to atone back in maiden company. SAVARA’S PRINCESS, SILENT FUTURE and returning SWORD OF LIGHT have the form and experience to trouble the youngster. However, a bigger threat will likely come from fellow juvenile EMPRESS OF PEACE who showed signs of improvement in blinkers last time and races with the headgear retained.
Selections: #11 Snap Your Fingers, #7 Empress Of Peace, #3 Silent Future, #1 Savara’s Princess
Vaal Classic, 25.06.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R115.000, 13:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Runner-up in all 3 sprint appearances, PERIODIC TABLE won’t need to improve much for the step up to this trip to open his account. Youngster HIGHWAY CODE, whose experience around the turn stands him in good stead, has shown enough to keep the selection honest. BEACH WALKER, BRAVE WAAM, CUZZIE and TWELFTH OF NEVER have the form and experience to make their presence felt. SILVER COMET and PROWLER could also get into the picture if improving over this extended trip. Watch the betting on 5yo Irish-bred newcomer MISSION TO MARS, a son of prolific European sire Sea The Stars.
Selections: #2 Periodic Table, #8 Highway Code, #5 Mission To Mars, #6 Twelfth Of Never
Vaal Classic, 25.06.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R90.000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: BLOOMINGTON ran on from a long way back when a fast-finishing 2nd in a similar 1450m contest last time off the same mark under the same rider. A repeat of that performance over the extra 150m should suffice. Hard-knockers SIX OF ALL and MICHAEL FARADAY appear held but are closely matched on that form. The selection finished behind GOLDEN ASPEN in his penultimate start so the latter could pose the biggest threat. Consistent BAY EMPIRE, blinkered THE MIGHTIEST and versatile COMMANDER OF ALL also have earning potential.
Selections: #3 Bloomington, #6 Golden Aspen, #5 Six Of All, #8 Bay Empire
Vaal Classic, 25.06.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R100.000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: MOUNT DARWIN has filled the runners-up berth in both starts at this level off his current rating, and he was most unlucky not to have won last time so a repeat of that performance should see him end a 684-day wait for another victory. Consistent hard-knocker ROSY LEMON is proven in this grade and would not be winning out of turn either. ITSNOWORNEVER, BLOOD OF EDEN and MILITARY MOVES are competitive off their current marks so could get into the picture.
Selections: #2 Mount Darwin, #5 Rosy Lemon, #6 Military Moves, #8 Itsnowornever
Vaal Classic, 25.06.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R120.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW, NEVER NEVER LAND and filly AQUARIUS are closely matched on the form of their 2 April meeting in a stronger 3yo handicap over track and trip, but the latter is better off at the weights so could be worth siding with. Top-weight FATHER CHRISTMAS has solid form while bottom-weight LONGSWORD is dangerous to discount off a career-low mark. HEAL AND SOUL and UNSOLVED RIDDLE are others to consider in larger exotic-bet permutations.
Selections: #5 Aquarius, #2 Never Never Land, #6 Oklahoma Smokeshow, #1 Father Christmas
Vaal Classic, 25.06.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R97.000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: MISS FANTASTIC confirmed the promise of her debut 3rd by winning last time over 1200m, running on from the rear of the field to get the upper-hand late. On the evidence of that performance, she is open to any amount of improvement over this extended trip so it could pay to follow her progress. Last-start winner WINDS OF GRACE remains competitive under a 3-point penalty but familiar foe FISH HAWK is weighted to turn the tables and could pose more of a threat to the selection with improved fitness on her side. PRINCESS KEIRA, FAIR PROPOSAL, UTSAAH and REECE’S WISH can also get into the picture.
Selections: #7 Miss Fantastic, #4 Fish Hawk, #6 Winds Of Grace, #2 Fair Proposal
Vaal Classic, 25.06.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: USHOULDBEDANCING had legitimate excuses last time in a 2yo Grade 3 over 1100m and is capable of a lot better than that performance suggests. She made a winning debut over this trip and remains open to improvement so deserves another chance. Older male rivals LONELY AS A CLOUD, TIME WILL TELL and READY SET FIRE have the form and experience to trouble the youngster, as do DUCHESS ZAHRA, MAGIC CARPET RIDE and hard-knocker ORIENTAL BOUQUET.
Selections: #3 Ushouldbedancing, #1 Lonely As A Cloud, #5 Magic Carpet Ride, #4 Time Will Tell
Vaal Classic, 25.06.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R115.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: CATFISH was an impressive course-and-distance winner of his last start and, such was the manner of that performance, the 6-point penalty may not be enough to prevent him from following up. LOVABLE won her only start over this track and trip. She arrives with the form and experience to fight out the finish but concedes 3.5kg to the improving 2yo selection. HAMMER BLOW and EL ZANI are also distance suited sprinters with the means to make their presence felt. BLINDFIRE and GUNBOAT complete the shortlist.
Selections: #4 Catfish, #3 Lovable, #9 Hammer Blow, #7 Blindfire
Best Win: #2 MOUNT DARWIN
Best Value Bet: #3 USHOULDBEDANCING
Best Longshot: #3 USHOULDBEDANCING
