South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.01.24
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Half the field of 10 are first-timers – watch the betting. FIRE ‘N FLAMES improved in his 2nd start finishing well clear of QHAWE LAMI, BROTHERHOODOFMAGIC and COMMANDER OF ALL. ARCTIC FLAG, on the other hand finished on top of FIRE ‘N FLAMES last time. Difficult to assess.
Selections:
#3 Fire ‘N Flames, #9 Symbol Of Love, #7 Best Intentions, #5 Qhawe Lami
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: CAMERATA sports blinkers for the first time and if they have no adverse effect on her, she should be hard to stop. RIO SUPREMO races in new surroundings and could challenge. TIME FOR CHARITY showed good improvement in blinkers and should be in the Trifecta. Others need to improve. Watch newcomers.
Selections:
#1 Camerata, #2 Time For Charity, #3 Rio Supremo, #7 Leahlicious
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: IRON SKY was just ahead of BROSNAN with DUNGEONS not far behind. BROSNAN was on debut and drifted in the betting. He can only improve and should have no problem beating them. What is interesting is his stable companion ELUSIVE JUSTICE who is on debut but is reported to be decent. Also making his debut is SAGAN who is bred to fly. Watch the betting. VAR PARK has a chance if finding his form.
Selections:
#9 Elusive Justice, #8 Brosnan, #10 Sagan, #1 Iron Sky
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110.000, 14:00GMT+
Race Summary: SWING UPON A STAR needed his first run as a gelding and could resume winning ways. TSAR BOMBA found problems last time and won’t go down without a fight. STROKE OF MERCY gets only 3kg from them but has that come-on look. LIL MISS MONEYBAGS could feature if settling early. Stablemate TEXAS RED, as well as EXPEDITIONER and ANGEL OF WAR could make the money.
Selections:
#1 Swing Upon A Star, #2 Tsar Bomba, #6 Stroke Of Mercy, #5 Lil Miss Moneybags
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R85.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: RARATONGA ROSE is in top form and the combo has a hat-trick chance, however, she meets NAMAQUA BLOSSOM on 2kg worse terms for a head beating and ‘on paper’ should not confirm their positions. LITTLE PRINCE stayed on over the extra last time and could handle the marathon distance. BANHA BRIDGE is a trier but could be better over a little shorter. LIVERPOOL LEGEND cannot be ignored for money.
Selections:
#6 Namaqua Blossom, #4 Raratonga Rose, #2 Little Prince, #3 Banha Bridge
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R85.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. TIMEFORTHAT has been threatening for her 4th win and it could happen from a decent draw. SEQUOIA is over a preferred distance and must come into the equation. TINDER DRY is unbeaten over this course and distance. ADMIRALTY ARCH has drawn wide but will be running on late. Stable companions ABSOLUTE VALUE and LUTHULI could get into the action.
Selections:
#11 Timeforthat, #3 Sequoia, #4 Tinder Dry, #1 Admiralty Arch
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R85.000, 15:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Wide open. LETHA found problems last time and if breathing isn’t a problem could go in. Stablemate BEE IN MY BONNET improved after a break to open her account and could go on. LADY OF POWER and BIG CITY GIRL have drawn wide but will be catching late. ARDEN PARK, QUANTUM, MAMAQUERA, SPLASH OF GREEN and SCOTTADITO are all capable of pulling it off.
Selections:
#8 Letha, #6 Mamaquera, #14 Big City Girl, #1 Lady Of Power
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R105.000, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Competitive. SOUTHERN BLAZE is threatening for a 3rd victory and could have his consistency rewarded. IN CAHOOTS carries 0,5kg overweight but on a last facile victory could double-up over this trip. INDUS KNIGHT should be cherry-ripe and shouldn’t be far off. KOTINOS, FATEFUL DAY and TANGANGA need to overcome wide draws but cannot be ignored. If MAGICAL FLIGHT gets covered early she could finish off strongly.
Selections:
#12 Southern Blaze, #10 In Cahoots, #9 Indus Knight, #7 Kotinos
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R110.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: PRINCESS PHILIPPA is holding form and looks hard to stop from completing a hat-trick. If she fluffs her lines many could capitalise. WOKONDA was not striding out last time but is over her best trip and could challenge. ESCAPE ARTIST is unbeaten in both runs at this venue and could add to the sequence. MIDNIGHT GEM, CLAFOUTIS and ETERNITY RING are more for exotics.
Selections:
#4 Princess Philippa, #5 Wokonda, #6 Escape Artist, #3 Midnight Gem
Vaal Classic, 24.01.2023, Race 10, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R75.000, 17:10GMT+2
Race Summary: ROSY LEMON has the best recent form and could end the day off with a win for punters. MONSIEUR CHEVELLE claims 2.5kg and will be chasing late. Many are looking for Trifecta money, including MIRREN, ROYAL MAZARIN, GILDA GRAY and GLOBAL BREEZE.
Selections:
#9 Rosy Lemon, #2 Monsieur Chevelle, #3 Mirren, #11 Global Breeze
Best Win: #1 CAMERATA
Best Value Bet: #11 TIMEFORTHAT
Best Longshot: #11 TIMEFORTHAT
