RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2024.08.20
Vaal Classic, 20.08.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R75.000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: MISS MUNROE was not disgraced when raiding KwaZulu-Natal last time out and should do even better this time around. BELLISSIVAR does seem better than her last run would suggest and can contest the finish. GOLDEN ARGO could play a minor role. PERINI PALACE is holding form and can contest the finish again. INTRO lost her way but is capable of getting into the money this time. Trainer Paul Matchett has three newcomers to back his favourite so do not be surprised if one of them attracts money and possibly wins.
Selections:
#7 Miss Munroe, #5 Bellissivar, #6 Intro, #3 Perini Palace
Vaal Classic, 20.08.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: PURSUIT OF FAME showed vast improvement last time out and could go one better this time but it is a very competitive race. REMAINS OF THE DAY returns from a break but could be a surprise winner. PACIFIC is in good form and can contest the finish again. KWAGGA BLITZ has improved of late and is clearly not out of it. SMASHING and MARIESKOP are two others quite capable of winning a race like this.
Selections:
#7 Pursuit Of Fame, #8 Smashing, #6 Kwagga Blitz, #9 Marieskop
Vaal Classic, 20.08.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R95.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: A small field but a very interesting race. SAY IT WITH ROSES probably has the scope for the most improvement and won a nice race last time out so could follow up. SPECIAL CHARM is unreliable but could pop up in a place. INDIAN OCEAN reminded us what she is capable of with a solid win last time out and could follow up. APACHE FIGHTER ran well last time out but does not always show her very best. AVOONTOAST is hat-trick-seeking and deserves respect for that. ALPHABETTY showed improvement last time out and could earn some minor money.
Selections:
#5 Avoontoast, #2 Indian Ocean, #4 Say It With Roses, #1 Special Charm
Vaal Classic, 20.08.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R85.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: DIESEL’S SHADOW lacked betting support last time out and did not run as well as expected. He usually runs very well for jockey Gavin Lerena and can bounce back to score. THUNEE PLAYA is unreliable but did win last time out and deserves some respect. ROSY LEMON is in good form and can get involved with the finish again. ROMEO’S MAGIC won easily last time out but is not an easy ride and is unreliable. MAJESTIC TOUCH nearly landed a tidy gamble last time out and could go one better. STREISAND won a maiden last time out but could be better than rated.
Selections:
#6 Diesel’s Shadow, #1 Thunee Playa, #3 Rosy Lemon, #9 Majestic Touch
Vaal Classic, 20.08.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: A tough race and it might pay to include as many runners as possible in this leg of the Pick 6. RAINBOW REWARD has been runner-up twice in his last three starts and deserves a winning turn. THE AFRICA HOUSE is usually thereabouts and can contest the finish again. CALLMEWHENUNEEDME showed what he is capable of with a wide margin win last time out and could follow up if in the same mood. LINKIN NAVIGATOR is clearly better than his last run would suggest. SUNSHINE DAY showed improvement last time and must be considered. LAW OF SUCCESS is one of many more who could pop up and score.
Selections:
#5 Rainbow Reward, #2 The Africa House, #3 Callmewhenuneedme, #4 Linkin Navigator
Vaal Classic, 20.08.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: VIRGINIA BEACH showed improvement with blinkers last time out and could follow up and win again. MIST IN SCOTLAND beat the selection easily back in June at this class but flopped at Scottsville after that. She would not be a surprise winner. WAR QUEEN and GREEN FLASH are better than they have been showing recently and could earn some money. GOLDEN ASPEN runs well for jockey Marco van Rensburg and could contest the finish. GLAWARI was a very easy winner last time out and deserves respect for that success and is a possible winner.
Selections:
#2 Virginia Beach, #1 Mist In Scotland, #8 Glawari, #5 Golden Aspen
Vaal Classic, 20.08.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: WHAT A TIGER is in good form and should make a bold bid at beating these rivals. NKANDLA GOLD is unreliable but could pop up in a place. ON CUE has not won for some time but is always capable of earning some money. KINSHIN SHA is not an easy ride but should be competitive in this line-up SECRET CHORD is hat-trick-seeking after some nice recent wins and may well pull it off. FENNEC FOX flopped last time out but won some nice races before that and has a winning chance.
Selections:
#5 What A Tiger, #6 Kinshin Sha, #7 Secret Chord, #4 On Cue
Vaal Classic, 20.08.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R80.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: A very open-looking last race and once again we may need plenty of runners to survive this leg of the Pick 6. MIDNIGHT FUSION is usually there or thereabouts and could be ready for a big run. PHANTOM EXPRESS shows improvement and could do even better this time around. THE NAVY LARK bounced back with a solid win last time out and can follow up if in the same mood. JUST THE TWO OF US has been best over this distance and could be a threat. There are some others like IN THE ETHER, GAELIC DANCER, RED CARPET GIRL and SMELTING that are also capable of running well.
Selections:
#2 Midnight Fusion, #3 Phantom Express, #4 The Navy Lark, #5 Just The Two Of Us
Best Win: #2 VIRGINIA BEACH
Best Value Bet:
Best Longshot: #7 PURSUIT OF FAME
