South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.01.17
Vaal Classic, 17.01.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Vercingetorix gelding XPLICIT CONTENT jumped a warm favourite on debut and found only one better in Sean Tarry-trained filly Midnight Fusion. He has been gelded but has to again hand another Tarry-trained debutante, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, 6.5kg. The comment on the latter is quite positive and the this race should be a cracker. It doesn’t stop there, GODSPEED was only 0.40 lengths behind XPLICIT CONTENT, is 2.5kg better off and expected to relish the longer trip. Follow the betting moves closely – all first-timers are bred for speed.
Selections:
#4 Xplicit Content, #5 American Graffiti, #6 Godspeed, #3 Linkin Navigator
Vaal Classic, 17.01.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: There is a well-bred What A Winter filly, WOMEN OF FAME, as well as a William Longsword filly out of a What A Winter mare, ICE STAR, and both need to be closely monitored. But DIVINE MOONLIGHT made a fair debut, finishing third in an 800m contest. She should much appreciate the longer trip and can go close this time. DUELLONA and WHITE HILLS (speedy) have a bit of work to do to turn the form around with DIVINE MOONLIGHT but are also open to any amount of improvement. WHITE HILLS had things go wrong and could be a lot better than her first run suggests.
Selections:
#2 Divine Moonlight, #7 Women Of Fame, #6 White Hills, #4 Ice Star
Vaal Classic, 17.01.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100.000, 13:30GMT+2
Race Summary: ORARARI GOLD has yet to win over 1600m but those were races at a very high level. She didn’t disgrace herself and as she is best weighted is expected to go close. TIPSY TARRAGON impressed earlier in her career and was entered in two strong Western Cape features. She lost form but could be looking for a change and now races on the Highveld for a new yard – watch out. TULIP TREE has very good form and may be better than rated. She had a bit much to do last time and can improve. QUE CEU AZUL will be looking to go all the way over her best trip, HIGH ROLLER and GIMMEALIGHT can earn.
Selections:
#3 Tulip Tree, #1 Orarari Gold, #2 Tipsy Tarragon, #5 Que Ceu Azul
Vaal Classic, 17.01.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R90.000, 14:05GMT+2
Race Summary: QUIXOTE found only one too good in his last two after trying different tactics in both. He can go one better but has drawn widest and will need a bit of luck. SILVANO’S SONG could take advantage. He has been making steady progress and from a better gate could get his head in front. MO THE MAN rates the dark horse. After a fair debut he had things go wrong thereafter and finished last. Interestingly, Gavin Lerena and Keagan de Melo switch rides with regards to QUIXOTE and MO THE MAN. POWERS THAT BE, RAPTOR ISLAND and TO THE KING have shown some potential and could earn.
Selections:
#1 Quixote, #2 Silvano’s Song, #7 Mo The Man, #3 Raptor Island
Vaal Classic, 17.01.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R87.500, 14:40GMT+2
Race Summary: CHERINGOMA may have needed time to mature and ran a fair race after a rest. She could be coming back to best form but still needs to produce a winning run from a wide stall. OCTOBER FAIR won her maiden well enough to suggest she has more to come. The slightly longer distance could be ideal. LIGHT OF DAY found her last race over 2000m too far. She has draw No 1 and could get away if given the chance. TOTO’S DREAM is back home after a fair run on the Polytrack in KwaZulu-Natal. JUST BE NICE is also fairly consistent and would be deserving. More can upset.
Selections:
#2 Cheringoma, #4 October Fair, #3 Light Of Day, #6 Field Of Vision
Vaal Classic, 17.01.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R85.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: The going was sticky and yet ELEMBEE easily won her second start over a trip. The daughter of Pomodoro could be above average. LADY REGENT battled wet ground last time and may have benefitted from a change of tactics in that race. She is better than that run and should be in the fight. LITTLEMARYSUNSHINE has shown class and having dropped in ratings and class could get her confidence boosted. TINDER DRY and CALL THE WIND have run decent races in recent times and just need a bit of luck.
Selections:
#7 Elembee, #2 Lady Regent, #1 Littlemarysunshine, #3 Tinder Dry
Vaal Classic, 17.01.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 15:55GMT+2
Race Summary: PERMESSO AVANTI impressed the handicapper last time as her merit rating has gone up a couple points. She is back to form and from draw No 2 could get the timing right. EYJAFJALLAJOKULL showed something like his best form when reverting to this sprint distance and should build on that effort. Watch out for STORM DICTATOR who brings fair Western Cape form into the race. He could be better than rated. WIND WATER won in good style and could be on the up. IPSO FACTO, THYMETOSHINE and SMITH AND WESSON all have some sort of claim.
Selections:
#6 Permesso Avanti, #3 Eyjafjallajokull, #7 Storm Dictator, #4 Wind Water
Vaal Classic, 17.01.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R85.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Last race is tough – go wide in the exotic bets. WAQAAS could step up on form as he should enjoy the drop in class. He has also drawn well and has a 2.5kg apprentice claim. ROBERT BURNS is a lot better than his last race when finishing fatigued. Interestingly, he was drawn No 1 when he won over this course and distance in his penultimate. But there are runners knocking at the door. PINCH HIT and RATTLE BAG have been in the vanguard recently and deserve a turn. FOG BANK may have found his second start a bit short and could bounce back to best. SAVE THE QUEEN could be well placed after her win.
Selections:
#7 Save The Queen, #2 Fog Bank, #4 Pinch Hit, #1 Waqaas
Best Win: #4 XPLICIT CONTENT
Best Value Bet: #6 PERMESSO AVANTI
Best Longshot: #6 PERMESSO AVANTI
