South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.01.05
Vaal Classic, 05.01.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 800m, Turf, R90.000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Of the 4 runners to have raced, HEIRLOOM boats by far the best form, and that experience together with a 4kg claimer on her back will make her hard to beat. DUELLONA and ARCTIC FLAG ought to have come on with the benefit of an introductory run and with natural improvement could get into the picture. A bigger threat, however, is likely to come from one of the newcomers and the betting should provide a guide to their chances on debut. COURAGEOUS and DIVINE MOONLIGHT are nicely bred and of interest, so are probably worth a market check.
Selections:
#5 Heirloom, #2 Courageous, #3 Divine Moonlight, #6 Shilpa’s Moon
Vaal Classic, 05.01.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 800m, Turf, R90.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: ZINOVI and EXCHANGE STUDENT ran with promise on debut and would have come on since. With the benefit of that experience under the belt and natural improvement expected, both should play leading roles once more. The former was heavily backed on debut and should race prominently throughout, but must concede 2,5kg to the latter which could prove telling at the finish. BROTHERHOODOFMAGIC, POMO CLAPPER and QHAWE LAMI are newcomers to take note of and must be respected if attracting market support. Watch the betting.
Selections:
#8 Exchange Student, #7 Zinovi, #1 Brotherhoodofmagic, #5 Pomo Clapper
Vaal Classic, 05.01.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R90.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: BOWL FIRST confirmed the promise of his debut 3rd over 1000m when staying on from a handy position to finish 2nd over 1450m. Further improvement over this trip should see him open his account. BROADWAY has shown enough in 3 starts since returning to the Highveld to warrant respect, while KIT KAT KATIE is another to consider after a much-improved effort when tried over this trip for the first time. BRAZILIAN STORM is capable of better than her disappointing last start suggests and is another who could get into the picture. Newcomer FLORIDA HILLS needn’t be special to make his presence felt.
Selections:
#4 Bowl First, #6 Florida Hills, #8 Brazilian Storm, #1 Broadway
Vaal Classic, 05.01.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R105.000, 14:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Open. ELUSIVE SWANN, who bounced back to form in the 1475m Heritage consolation, is capable over this extended trip but will have her work cut out off a 7-point higher mark. CLARKSON is closely matched on that form but likely to turn the tables over this distance and on 0,5kg better terms. KAPTEIN is overdue a 3rd career win and ought to be competitive having finished 2nd in his last 3 starts. RULE BOOK would’ve tightened up after finishing alongside that rival over 1600m recently and could represent the value in the race on 0,5kg better terms. BILLY BOWLEGS should fare better down in class.
Selections:
#7 Rule Book, #1 Kaptein, #5 Clarkson, #4 Billy Bowlegs
Vaal Classic, 05.01.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R85.000, 14:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Debut winner CELESTIAL CITY got going late when 2nd over a shorter trip last time and is likely to improve with racing and over ground, so should be competitive. Progressive 3-y-o AFRICAN TORRENT fits a similar profile and has already won over this trip at a higher level, experience which ought to stand him in good stead. SEQUOIA was touched off in his last 2 starts over 1500m and should make his presence felt over the extra. DUKE OF RAIN should get closer to that rival on 1,5kg better terms. CHASING MAVERICKS is holding form and has claims, so too does last-start winner TOP SAIL.
Selections:
#6 African Torrent, #3 Celestial City, #4 Sequoia, #10 Chasing Mavericks
Vaal Classic, 05.01.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R85.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: STUNNING KITTEN was an authoritative winner of a similar contest over track and trip last time and, on that evidence, is likely to play another leading role despite a 6-point penalty. SUMMERLAND is 3kg better off having finished 3,75 lengths adrift and on these terms should pose more of a threat. Both TRUMP MY QUEEN and BURMESE TIARA have been holding their form off higher marks and should be competitive down 2 points. Preference, however, is for the former who has been racing in stronger company. LIDL MISS SUNSHINE, TIMEFORTHAT, and DARK TRAVEL off a lower mark can get into the picture too.
Selections:
#3 Trump My Queen, #7 Stunning Kitten, #5 Burmese Tiara, #6 Summerland
Vaal Classic, 05.01.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R110.000, 15:55GMT+2
Race Summary: NONE OTHER has been contesting 3yo fillies features and should find this an easier task with the step up in distance also likely to eke out improvement. Consistent KIND JUDY boasts solid form and ought to give her younger rival most to fear. GIMMEALIGHT is engaged to run at an earlier meeting but would make her presence felt if taking her place in this line-up. Lightly raced QUIET REBELLION isn’t without a chance on these terms either. A return to this trip should bring about an improved effort from maturing STRANGE MAGIC. Both SISTER LIGHT and SOUTHERN SONG can earn.
Selections:
#5 None Other, #7 Kind Judy, #9 Gimmealight, #10 Quiet Rebellion
Vaal Classic, 05.01.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R85.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: FOG BANK confirmed the promise of his debut 2nd behind a highly rated sort by opening his account over 1450m at this track when returning from a lengthy rest (and gelding). He raced prominently throughout on that occasion which suggests he’ll have no issue with this shorter trip from an inside gate, so rates the one to beat. COOL WINTER is drawn wide but gets 4kg off and is proven at this level, so ought to fare better. STORMY SEAS has been holding form in stronger company so ought to make his presence felt too. Fillies READY TO FLY and LAETITIA’S ANGEL have claims too.
Selections:
#2 Fog Bank, #4 Stormy Seas, #1 Cool Winter, #8 Great Times
Best Win: #4 BOWL FIRST
Best Value Bet: #7 RULE BOOK
Best Longshot: #7 RULE BOOK
