RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2024.09.19
Vaal Classic, 19.09.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: RED LEGEND finished close-up in 2 of his last 3 starts and is unlikely to get a better opportunity to open his account. RASTIGNAC and HAT TRICK OR TREAT have shown enough to play leading roles, though a bigger threat could come from PIKE PLACE who, with the benefit of his rider’s 2,5kg claim, gets 6kg from the selection. FUTURE KNIGHT and VARJURY have scope to improve and, despite their wide draws, could get a look in under light weights.
Selections:
#1 Red Legend, #6 Pike Place, #4 Hat Trick Or Treat, #3 Rastignac
Vaal Classic, 19.09.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: AMBITIOUS LADY has made sufficient improvement recently over slightly further to suggest that she can give weight and a beating to these rivals, even over this trip. FUTURE DATE has an earlier engagement but is open to improvement going this trip for the first time, so she could fight for victory if taking her place in the line-up. PASS THE BATON, TIK TOK ADDICTION, ENCHANTED ROYAL and BELLA’S CHARM are likely to fight out the minors.
Selections:
#1 Ambitious Lady, #2 Future Date, #3 Pass The Baton, #4 Tik Tok Addiction
Vaal Classic, 19.09.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R70.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: ANNEWITHAN E had FREE IN SEATTLE 2.75-lengths behind her when second in a similar contest last time out. However, she was 3.10 lengths adrift of SOLO DIVA in her previous outing, so a chance is taken on the latter confirming that form. GIMME THE FLAME and PERINI PALACE are competitive at this level while COUNT YOUR CHANCES need only jump on terms to have a say in the outcome.
Selections:
#1 Solo Diva, #3 Annewithan E, #2 Free In Seattle, #5 Perini Palace
Vaal Classic, 19.09.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R75.000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Maiden MANZ KNIGHT finished behind CALLABURN in a 2000m maiden and is unlikely to turn the tables on these revised weight terms. The latter finished ahead of FLAG BEARER in a similar contest last time and should confirm his superiority. Course-and-distance winner FULL GO and hard-knocker GUY ALEXANDER, who finished second off his current mark over 1600m last time, have the ability to make their presence felt too.
Selections:
#2 Callaburn, #5 Flag Bearer, #4 Full Go, #6 Guy Alexander
Vaal Classic, 19.09.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R70.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: SILKY JET was a wide-margin maiden winner over this distance and her opening handicap mark isn’t likely to halt her momentum. PLAY WITH FIRE, ANGEL’S WISH and IDEAL FUTURE are hard-knockers with the form and experience to make life difficult for the selection.
Selections:
#3 Silky Jet, #4 Ideal Future, #1 Play With Fire, #2 Angel’s Wish
Vaal Classic, 19.09.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R75.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: CAPTAIN JIM has improved in 3 starts with this headgear fitted and should remain competitive on his handicap debut. BREATH OF MAGIC and FAST DUTY should acquit themselves competitively dropping in grade off a reduced mark. Consistent hard-knockers SOUTHERN STYLE, KITTYBOYS GIRL and WRITTEN IN STONE aren’t underestimated, while BOB LEE SWAGGER shouldn’t be taken lightly either in his peak outing after an eye-catching last start over track and trip.
Selections:
#4 Fast Duty, #3 Captain Jim, #7 Southern Style, #6 Bob Lee Swagger
Vaal Classic, 19.09.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: DONTSHOOTTHEBARMAN beat NKANDLA GOLD by 1.7-lengths in a similar contest over track and trip recently but is 2,5kg worse off. Both had finished behind ON CUE over course and distance last month and the latter is weighted to confirm her superiority on these terms. Last-start winners TCHAIKOVSKY (off an unchanged mark) and JOHN WICK, despite a 6-point penalty, ought to remain competitive.
Selections:
#3 On Cue, #1 Dontshootthebarman, #2 Nkandla Gold, #4 Tchaikovsky
Vaal Classic, 19.09.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: COMMANDER OF ALL and AFTER HOURS are consistent hard-knockers whose competitiveness at this level is beyond doubt. TOGETHER AGAIN is another with the form and experience to make her presence felt. However, preference is for veteran DANCING DORA whose consistency off her current mark will be rewarded sooner rather than later. INAFIX, TWICE AS WILD, VAVA VEGAS and DARK TIDE have earning potential.
Selections:
#4 Dancing Dora, #1 Commander Of All, #2 After Hours, #3 Together Again
Best Win: #1 RED LEGEND
Best Value Bet: #4 FAST DUTY
Best Longshot: #4 FAST DUTY
