RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2024.08.08
Vaal, 08.08.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: CAPTAIN EFFICIENT stayed on to finish an encouraging second on his Highveld return over 1000m and needn’t improve much over the extra 200m to shed his maiden tag. KING OF NUMBERS has an earlier engagement but will pose a threat if taking his place. CAPTAIN JIM finished third in his last start on the Polytrack in KZN with this headgear fitted and should make his presence felt if building on that improvement. UNDER THE RAINBOW appeals most of the remainder.
Selections:
#1 Captain Efficient, #2 King Of Numbers, #3 Captain Jim, #5 Under The Rainbow
Vaal, 08.08.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: RADIANT HEAT performed consistently over slightly further before fluffing her lines over this course and distance last time but she could be worth another chance. BILINGUAL acquitted herself well in a Work Riders’ maiden over track and trip last month and will have a role to play with a repeat of that performance. SOMEDAY MAYBE finished ahead of her on that occasion so ought to make her presence felt too. CARTAGENA and PERINI PALACE could also have a say if building on recent improvement.
Selections:
#1 Radiant Heat, #2 Bilingual, #3 Someday Maybe, #6 Perini Palace
Vaal, 08.08.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R75.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: FULL GO ran on from a long way back to win over 1800m on the Classic track two weeks ago and should remain competitive under a three-point penalty. ZOOMBOMBER finished 0.40-lengths behind but will pose more of a threat on 1kg better terms. FLAG BEARER is 2.5kg better off for a 3-length beating and also warrants respect. GREEN SCEPTRE has breathing issues but cannot be underestimated over this trip off a career-low mark. EIGER SANCTION completes the shortlist.
Selections:
#6 Full Go, #7 Green Sceptre, #2 Zoombomber, #5 Flag Bearer
Vaal, 08.08.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R85.000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: APACHE SON caught the eye when a fast-finishing fifth in a 1400m KZN handicap in June and has been gelded since. On the evidence of his last start, this longer distance is likely to unlock improvement so his progress could be worth following. CELTIC RUSH, CIRCLE OF GRACE and BLACKBERRY BREEZE could make life difficult for the selection. AMERICAN REBEL and FUTUREWOLFF are also capable of staking a claim.
Selections:
#6 Apache Son, #4 Celtic Rush, #9 Blackberry Breeze, #7 Circle Of Grace
Vaal, 08.08.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R70.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: DAMOVA acquitted herself well in a handicap against male opposition last time and need only repeat that performance off a reduced mark to fight for victory. FEELING GROOVY bounced back to form with a good second over 1600m a fortnight ago and should be in the shake-up if in similar form. LEONESSA is closely matched so should also have a say. FREE IN SEATTLE, LINGANOMORE and IDEAL FUTURE have the ability to make their presence felt too. KITTYBOYS GIRL has rediscovered her form recently with blinkers refitted and shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Selections:
#7 Damova, #5 Feeling Groovy, #6 Leonessa, #1 Free In Seattle
Vaal, 08.08.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R70.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: RISKY BUSINESS was rewarded for her consistency with a deserved last-start victory over 1450m on the Classic track and a resultant two-point penalty is unlikely to halt her momentum. MIX THE MAGIC beat DANCING DORA over 1200m recently and, with improved fitness on her side, could confirm that form despite a 1.5kg weight turnaround. Fellow last-start winners CANTFOOLME and TOGETHER AGAIN cannot be taken lightly. The former is lightly raced with scope for improvement.
Selections:
#4 Risky Business, #3 Dancing Dora, #5 Mix The Magic, #1 Cantfoolme
Vaal, 08.08.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R85.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: PURPLENINJATURTLE got his career back on track with a winning reappearance last month in his first start as a gelding over 1160m. He remains open to improvement so a three-point penalty may not prevent him from following up. VEGAS HI RISE didn’t finish a long way adrift of that rival but isn’t likely to turn the tables on these terms. WARM WINTER NITE built on an encouraging Highveld introduction to win his last start with this headgear (hood) refitted and he should also remain competitive despite a three-point penalty. Returning SPIRITED GIRL, SECOND BREATH and MUNCHKIN aren’t taken lightly either.
Selections:
#10 Warm Winter Nite, #2 Purpleninjaturtle, #6 Spirited Girl, #3 Second Breath
Vaal, 08.08.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: COMMANDER OF ALL acquitted himself on his handicap debut over 1000m and ought to give another honest and competitive account of himself under top weight. Hard-knocking veterans AFTER HOURS and SAMOA are consistent at this level and should have roles to play. However, preference is for SOUTHERN STYLE whose consistency deserves to be rewarded. She’s in good form, competitive off her current mark and effective over this distance – her only victory was over 1200m. DARK TIDE and WRITTEN IN STONE have earning potential and appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#5 Southern Style, #3 After Hours, #10 Samoa, #1 Commander Of All
Best Win: #5 SOUTHERN STYLE
Best Value Bet: #7 DAMOVA
Best Longshot: #7 DAMOVA
