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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2026.09.22
Vaal, 22.09.2026, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R115.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: CHANCELLOR made encouraging late headway on debut as a 2yo in open company and would have benefitted from that experience. He is open to any amount of improvement on his reappearance after gelding, so it could pay to follow his progress. BERRY LANCER has the form and experience to pose a threat, while newcomers SECRET SANTA, BLUNDERBORE and STILO NOVO don’t have to be special to make their presence felt. Betting support would speak volumes about their chances on debut – follow the market moves.
Selections: #4 Chancellor, #5 Secret Santa, #3 Blunderbore, #7 Stilo Novo
Vaal, 22.09.2026, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: PITERAQ was an encouraging 2nd at this track on her Highveld debut and won’t need to improve much to go one better over this extended trip with the cheekpieces refitted. Lightly raced TREASURE STATE has shown enough to fight out the finish and has scope for improvement too. SATISFIED had legitimate excuses for a disappointing last start over further and is capable of a better showing over this trip after a break. Watch the betting on newcomers RANK AND FILE and STEEL AND SATIN. Experienced MEGHAN’S DIAMOND has earning potential too.
Selections: #1 Piteraq, #4 Treasure State, #7 Satisfied, #10 Rank And File
Vaal, 22.09.2026, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R110.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: WINTER RAINFALL has dropped to a competitive rating and was 4th in a stronger race last time, albeit over 1200m. She could capitalise on this drop in class off a reduced mark if running to a similar level over this extended trip. LOST FOR WORDS is lightly raced and open to improvement stretching out to this distance for the first time, so she has to be respected. BEAUTIFUL RANIA and FIRE IN HER SOUL are closely matched on recent form, and they remain competitive off their current marks. WINDS OF GRACE is also capable of getting into the picture.
Selections: #2 Winter Rainfall, #1 Lost For Words, #4 Beautiful Rania, #3 Fire In Her Soul
Vaal, 22.09.2026, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R115.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: This won’t take much winning. BE THE ONE improved to finish 2nd over 1450m last time and a repeat of that performance over this extended trip should suffice. MADRID and JET PLATINO will know more about it after much-needed educational outings so could improve to have a say, along with GIDDY UP GRACE after a satisfactory Highveld introduction. LANCE ATTACK could have more to offer trying the trip.
Selections: #7 Be The One, #1 Giddy Up Grace, #6 Madrid, #5 Jet Platino
Vaal, 22.09.2026, Race 5, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R115.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: CLAIRWOOD BREEZE wouldn’t be winning out of turn after back-to-back recent seconds before joining his current yard. However, preference is for improving ONE EYE ON DUBAI who should have more to offer going this distance after a last-start 2nd over 1700m. SIVAJI, COMIC ARTIST and VERDANDI have the form and experience to also have a say in the outcome.
Selections: #6 One Eye On Dubai, #1 Clairwood Breeze, #3 Comic Artist, #2 Sivaji
Vaal, 22.09.2026, Race 6, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R150.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: British import DEEPONE would have needed his local introduction and is open to improvement trying this distance. However, conceding 9kg to last-start winner BELLEROPHON could prove a bridge too far over this trip. SAMUEL SHARPE, FUTUREWOLFF and POSITIVE ATTITUDE are proven stayers with the means to make their presence felt too.
Selections: #2 Bellerophon, #1 Deepone, #8 Samuel Sharpe, #6 Positive Attitude
Vaal, 22.09.2026, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: BOUNDLESS LOVE was a game-in-defeat 2nd in a similar contest over 1800m last time and should be right in the firing line again over this shorter trip, even off a slightly higher mark. Exciting SHERIFF BILL BROWN won consecutive starts to close out a promising juvenile campaign and is open to any amount of improvement on his reappearance as a 3yo. Fellow-last-start winner PALACE ATTACK remains competitive under a penalty, as do veteran AFTER HOURS and progressive AINT NO DOUBT.
Selections: #1 Boundless Love, #4 Sheriff Bill Brown, #3 Palace Attack, #8 Aint No Doubt
Vaal, 22.09.2026, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R135.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Cases can be made for several of these but a chance is taken on THE LAST DUKE whose form and consistency at a higher level stands him in good stead, even under top weight. VIBE SA, ANTONIO GAUDI and COLD SHINE have solid course-and-distance credentials and should be competitive on recent form. TITAN OF THE TURF bounced back to form last time with blinkers fitted and could make his presence again with the headgear retained. Well-related STONEYWOOD and returning BELIEVE IN FATE (gelded) aren’t taken lightly either.
Selections: #2 The Last Duke, #4 Vibe Sa, #7 Antonio Gaudi, #12 Cold Shine
Vaal, 22.09.2026, Race 9, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100.000, 16:55GMT+2
Race Summary: ME AND YOU improved with each outing as a 2yo and confirmed as much with a dominant last-start success over 1600m. With further progress expected during her 3yo campaign, this is a good opportunity for her to make a winning reappearance. EIGHT HATS, CONCORDIA and SECRET LIFE have the form and experience to challenge, especially in receipt of weight from the selection. BEAUTIFUL ONE and CAN’T CATCH ME are others with earning potential.
Selections: #1 Me And You, #3 Eight Hats, #8 Secret Life, #4 Concordia
Best Win: #7 BE THE ONE
Best Value Bet: #2 THE LAST DUKE
Best Longshot: #2 THE LAST DUKE
