Familiar faces could be back in the winner’s enclosure at the eight-race Vaal meeting on Thursday, 6 August, with several connections who struck at the Vereeniging-based track last week holding a particularly strong hand on the first weekday Highveld card of the 2026/27 season.
Jockeys Keagan de Melo and Kabelo Matsunyane, trainers Mike & Mathew de Kock, Fanie Bronkhorst and Tony Peter, together with prominent owner-breeder Laurence Wernars, all celebrated winners at the venue seven days ago, and there is every reason to believe their winning momentum can continue.
De Melo, in particular, could be worth following after riding three winners last Thursday. He teamed up with the De Kock-Wernars combination to land a short-priced favourite and the same trio could get the new campaign off to a flying start with Corrupt in Race 1 over 2800m.
The late-maturing five-year-old son of Erupt has won his last two starts over 2400m and 2600m, and the extra 200m looks more likely to suit than hinder on the evidence of his latest victory. A six-point penalty poses a tougher task, but he remains lightly raced, open to further improvement and capable of completing a hat-trick.
Peter and Matsunyane also combined successfully last week, and Caladrius could give them another reason to celebrate in Race 2 over 1000m. The improving Rafeef filly took a sizeable step forward when fitted with blinkers to open her account last time and makes her handicap debut off what could prove a workable mark. A repeat of that performance should see her go close.
De Melo could strike again in Race 3 aboard Magic Carpet Ride for Sean Tarry. The Willow Magic mare has something to prove after two underwhelming efforts but races off a mark only one point higher than her last winning rating. That makes her an interesting each-way proposition if she can rediscover her best form.
One of the card’s stronger bets comes in Race 4, where Wernars-owned Tempranillo looks well placed to add another Vaal success. The well-related Querari filly has useful form at a higher level, including a close third over this trip last time. She races off an unchanged mark and, in what should be her peak outing, a repeat of that effort may be enough to win.
Bronkhorst has continued to punch above his weight and Korcula could reward supporters in Race 6 over 2000m. The lightly raced four-year-old has finished third in all three starts since joining the stable, building an admirable consistency profile. The longer trip looks a positive and could help her finally get her head in front.
The message for punters is clear: don’t dismiss last week’s Vaal winners. Several of the same jockeys, trainers and owners have found favourable opportunities again, with Corrupt, Caladrius, Tempranillo and Korcula looking the strongest chances for another profitable afternoon at Vaal.
Clive Robinson
