South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.02.02
Vaal Classic, 02.02.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: HEIRLOOM has been close up in all three starts. She finished just over 2 lengths in front of COURAGEOUS. The latter was on debut and could make up the deficit. CIRCLE OF GRACE did well on debut and should make his presence felt. TROPPO VELOCE drifted in the betting on debut – she will come on. Watch the newcomers.
Selections:
#2 Circle Of Grace, #6 Heirloom, #5 Courageous, #8 Troppo Veloce
Vaal Classic, 02.02.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: MOVE ON OVER and stable companion SPRING IN HEAVEN showed blistering speed on their respective debuts. Both will come on – watch the money. GODSPEED found issues in both her starts and can get into the action. Watch the first-timers especially LEAVING LAS VEGAS.
Selections:
#8 Spring In Heaven, #7 Move On Over, #3 Godspeed, #5 Leaving Las Vegas
Vaal Classic, 02.02.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R90.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: After playing second fiddle in all 3 his runs, SLINKY MAPIMPI should get his just reward. The one to beat. FAST DUTY is capable of challenging but needs to settle. The rest are looking to improve. Respect money for first-timer GRACE DE SILVER.
Selections:
#1 Slinky Mapimpi, #2 Fast Duty, #7 Grace De Silver, #10 Efficient Trader
Vaal Classic, 02.02.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R125.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: A close finish is expected. When they met recently a blanket could have been thrown over QUEEN OF SHADOWS (not well in), HOLLYWOODBOUND, SUPREME QUEST as well as SHIVERS and luck in running could determine the winner. Also, on a line through Sound Of Warning form, MARIGOLD HOTEL (better this trip) should be on top of them. Both GILDED BUTTERFLY and ULULATE were reported something amiss last time.
Selections:
#2 Hollywoodbound, #7 Queen Of Shadows, #1 Marigold Hotel, #3 Supreme Quest
Vaal Classic, 02.02.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: TIMEFORTHAT has the form to win this, however, she is carded to race before this – watch the form and update. WONDERING STAR always finds problems but if trouble-free could bounce back to best. OYSTER KING showed a form return but needs to produce. BIG CITY GIRL could challenge if she behaves at the start. The rest of the field could all pull it off.
Selections:
#6 Timeforthat, #2 Wondering Star, #3 Oyster King, #10 Big City Girl
Vaal Classic, 02.02.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R100.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: TOTAL PROTECTION has the class but was costly last time when he refused to jump. If he starts well, he could carry top weight to victory. He gives CELESTIAL CITY 6kg who won on debut and followed up with 3 seconds. He could chalk up a 2nd win. With stablemate FUTURE PEARL should have no problem with the extra. TOP SAIL wasn’t disgraced in his post-maiden and shouldn’t be far off. Others are looking for minor money.
Selections:
#1 Total Protection, #6 Celestial City, #7 Future Pearl, #8 Top Sail
Vaal Classic, 02.02.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R120.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: WIND WATER sports blinkers now and could complete a hat-trick. He gets 6kg from SHELDON but will have a fight on his hands. UMTHOMBO WOLWAZI is in form and should be involved in the finish. Stablemate SAMUEL SALT shouldn’t be far off. MAY QUEEN has a chance if reproducing her last run. SET TO GO is coming right and cannot be ignored for money. EXISTENTIALIST is no slouch and could feature.
Selections:
#8 Wind Water, #2 Sheldon, #9 Umthombo Wolwazi, #10 Existentialist
Vaal Classic, 02.02.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 16:15GMT+2
Race Summary: COLD FACT came off a lengthy lay-off and despite pulling up distressed put daylight between herself and the rest. On that form, she should have no problem scoring here. The remaining 8 runners have had issues but any could chase her home.
Selections:
#1 Cold Fact, #5 Silver Winter, #4 Golden Aspen, #2 Midnight Gem
Vaal Classic, 02.02.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80.000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: DEFENDER OF RIGHTS is overdue a 2nd win and rates the one to beat. Lightly raced LIL MISS MONEYBAGS can only improve and could challenge. PRINCESS ILARIA comes off a maiden win and could get into the money. GIN AND TONIC found her form with a win on the poly last time. METEORIC is better than his last two. SECOND BREATH and MABONENG are looking for Quartet money.
Selections:
#5 Defender Of Rights, #1 Lil Miss Moneybags, #7 Meteoric, #4 Princess Ilaria
Best Win: #1 SLINKY MAPIMPI
Best Value Bet: #2 HOLLYWOODBOUND
Best Longshot: #2 HOLLYWOODBOUND
