South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.01.19
Vaal Classic, 19.01.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R90.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: NATIONAL STAR needed her last run and will come on, however, she has been costly to follow and all of BUSHVELD, SKY VELOCITY and GHOST SHIP could cost her again. BUSHVELD should be ideally suited to this race; SKY VELOCITY has been threatening recently, while GHOST SHIP did well when fancied on debut and is bred for the extra.
Selections:
#2 National Star, #3 Bushveld, #7 Ghost Ship, #4 Sky Velocity
Vaal Classic, 19.01.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: SILVER MENSA should go close. She holds REGINA BELLISSIMA and HEART AND MIND when they met last time. POURSOMESUGARONME improved in her 2nd start and could challenge. ROCKINGTHETIMEAWAY hasn’t been far off recently and could get into the reckoning. ARROW SKY showed good improvement last time and if producing the form could make the Trifecta. HEY NOW could do better.
Selections:
#1 Silver Mensa, #12 Poursomesugaronme, #4 Rockingthetimeaway, #2 Regina Bellissima
Vaal Classic, 19.01.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R100.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: PRAGMATIST has the form. He beat FUTUREWOLFF and JUST EMINENT last time and should confirm the form. ATTICUS FINCH is having his peak run and should give a good solid performance. BOWL FIRST comes off a maiden win and can improve. ARGO ALLEY is capable of better while KENTALLEN BAY could feature if in the mood.
Selections:
#4 Pragmatist, #3 Atticus Finch, #6 Futurewolff, #7 Just Eminent
Vaal Classic, 19.01.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R90.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: BROADLANDS is sure to dictate the pace and what grabs her, could win. She is bred to stay like TURNTHEBEATAROUND who can only improve on debut. FAST DUTY is maturing and could deliver a challenge. PUERTO PLATA is having his 3rd run after a rest and must have a chance. PRIME EXAMPLE, WONDERWORLD and QUEEN BRITANNA could get into the money.
Selections:
#9 Broadlands, #12 Turnthebeataround, #2 Fast Duty, #3 Puerto Plata
Vaal Classic, 19.01.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: The riders aboard RIDGERUNNER and SET TO GO reported something amiss with their mounts last last time but the vet couldn’t find anything visibly wrong. Expect better performances. They will have to beat UMTHOMBO WOLWAZI who is bang in form and the combo is looking for a hat-trick. ARBITRATOR wasn’t far behind him last time and on 1.5kg better terms shouldn’t be far off. MOVER AND SHAKER and recent maiden winner TRE AMICI could pull it off.
Selections:
#4 Umthombo Wolwazi, #3 Set To Go, #2 Ridgerunner, #7 Arbitrator
Vaal Classic, 19.01.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: IN THE ETHER was fancied to win last time, but ran a close third. WINGS OF NIKE is 1kg better off than her for 0.75 lengths so should be on top of her. LIFE GOES ON needed the run when quietly fancied last time and should be involved in the finish. Stable companions SIBERIAN STEEL and COVERT OPERATOR have recently shed their maiden tags and could go on. CAPTAIN DIZZY has ability but comes off a lengthy lay-off – watch the market. STORMY SEAS cannot be ignored for money.
Selections:
#1 Life Goes On, #5 Wings Of Nike, #7 In The Ether, #4 Captain Dizzy
Vaal Classic, 19.01.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Difficult to assess. COLD FACT races in her new yard after 10 months off and could need it. CELTIC RUMOURS beat nothing of note when hot favourite to open her account. METEORIC looked ready to record a 4th win before disappointed last time out. AGA HEAT often gets into trouble but if problem-free could win. GOLDEN ASPEN is holding form and must be considered. Stablemates INTOXICATING and NO TIME IS TAKEN warrant inclusion. FLY ISABELLA FLY could make the frame.
Selections:
#10 Meteoric, #7 Celtic Rumours, #4 Aga Heat, #3 Cold Fact
Vaal Classic, 19.01.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R120.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: VANDERBILT claims 4kgs which could make the difference, however, he still gives GOOD QUEEN BESS 4kg. The latter needed her last run and should challenge. MERIDIUS looks to have bounced back to best form and could go in again. LORD VARYS, CRIMSON PRINCESS and LAGUNA VERDE are more for the short list. Others could pop up.
Selections:
#1 Vanderbilt, #10 Good Queen Bess, #8 Meridius, #11 Lord Varys
Best Win: #1 SILVER MENSA
Best Value Bet: #1 LIFE GOES ON
Best Longshot: #1 LIFE GOES ON
