RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2024.07.25
Vaal Classic, 25.07.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R75.000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: ZANTHAR did too much too early last time out and will be hard to oppose if he appears for this race. He is carded to run on Saturday 20 July so check out that run. FINAL TRY looks the obvious danger. This What A Winter-gelding is improving and can go one better this time. HIGHVELD STORM showed improvement last time out. Surprisingly, the blinkers are carded to be back on. RED LEGEND has some fair form and could contest the finish. FORCE DE DIEU lacks a strong finish but could earn money.
Selections:
#1 Zanthar, #3 Final Try, #4 Highveld Storm, #5 Red Legend
Vaal Classic, 25.07.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R75.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: FAR REACHING tried her luck against winners last time out and did not show her best. She should do a lot better in a weak field. SILKY JET blows hot and cold but could earn money. TOGETHER AGAIN is struggling to win a race but can contest the finish. BACARDI BABE and VILLA SEMAYA are capable of earning minor money. CARTAGENA struggled last time out but did better in her penultimate. RULER OF JUSTICE also flopped last time out but can do better.
Selections:
#5 Far Reaching, #2 Together Again, #10 Perini Palace, #6 Cartagena
Vaal Classic, 25.07.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R90.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: TAXHAVEN has been very expensive to follow but really should win a race like this. RASTIGNAC may have just needed the last run and could be the biggest threat. MANZ KNIGHT is carded to run on Saturday 20 July but can be a danger if pitching up for this race. THOMAS RAINWATER is battling to win a race but could play a minor role. ALAKANANI and the filly PLUM BLOSSOM are two others capable of earning money.
Selections:
#1 Taxhaven, #2 Rastignac, #3 Manz Knight, #8 Plum Blossom
Vaal Classic, 25.07.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R75.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: FIFTH OF JULY has been good without winning in his three runs this year and has a big chance. JAPANESE MAPLE was a heavily backed winner of a maiden race last time out and could follow up if in the same mood. CERULEAN DANCER blows hot and cold but is also not out of it. FLAG BEARER and GUY ALEXANDER are capable of earning money. DAMOVA flopped last time out but her trainer did have three winners last Thursday so she will not be a surprise winner. RAINY SEASON and HAVE A PARTY are also capable of a surprise.
Selections:
#4 Fifth Of July, #1 Japanese Maple, #3 Cerulean Dancer, #2 Callaburn
Vaal Classic, 25.07.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R70.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: A very competitive line-up, so it’s probably best to go wide in this leg of the Pick 6. BUSHVELD found betting support but did not produce the goods. The drop in distance ought to produce a better result. LINGANOMORE is better than what she showed last time out and has a winning chance. FEELING GROOVY did not fire last week but can bounce back to be a threat. COUNT YOUR CHANCES is unreliable but quite capable of winning a race like this. MEMORIAL DAY and BEGUILING are two others that could surprise.
Selections:
#9 Bushveld, #2 Linganomore, #4 Feeling Groovy, #7 Count Your Chances
Vaal Classic, 25.07.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R75.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: RISKY BUSINESS has been a touch unlucky not to win a race recently and could go one better this time. CALIDA has not been beaten too far recently and could be ready to show some improvement. GIMME THE FLAME has lost the way but does have a place chance. SOUTHERN STYLE did not show her best last time out and is usually a threat. GREEN SCEPTRE lacks a strong finish but could earn minor money. WRITTEN IN STONE likes this track but is unreliable.
Selections:
#9 Risky Business, #11 Written In Stone, #6 Southern Style, #4 Gimme The Flame
Vaal Classic, 25.07.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R70.000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: It looks a case of half of the 8 runners can win, and half probably won’t. GREEN BUBBLES returned to form with a nice win last time out and can follow up. DANCING DORA looked a bit unlucky not to win last time out but does not appear an easy ride. RED CARPET GIRL has been unreliable of late but should be right there at the finish once again. MIX THE MAGIC has been modest of late but looks the only other possible winner in this line-up.
Selections:
#1 Green Bubbles, #4 Dancing Dora, #5 Red Carpet Girl, #6 Mix The Magic
Vaal Classic, 25.07.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R75.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: A competitive last race. CAPTAIN EFFICIENT has been consistent lately and deserves a winning turn. COMMANDER OF ALL has improved and picked a first-career win last time out. THE NAVY LARK disappointed last time out but had been doing well prior and is not out of it. LIFE GOES ON is carded to run before this but does have a winning chance if lining up. Stable companion INAFIX has struggled recently but is capable of earning money.
Selections:
#4 Captain Efficient, #2 Commander Of All, #5 Life Goes On, #3 The Navy Lark
Best Win: #1 TAXHAVEN
Best Value Bet:
Best Longshot: #9 BUSHVELD
