RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2024.09.26
Vaal Classic, 26.09.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R75.000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: BELLISSIVAR has been costly to follow but wouldn’t be winning out of turn. She finished behind stable companion BASINGSTOKE last time over course and distance on identical weight terms, so preference is for the latter. CYBER SPIRIT is held on that form but shouldn’t be far off the mark. Newcomer CARS BIG AS BARS needn’t be special to play a leading role.
Selections:
#5 Basingstoke, #6 Bellissivar, #3 Cars Big As Bars, #7 Cyber Spirit
Vaal Classic, 26.09.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: ESPINOZA didn’t go unnoticed when finishing fifth on debut as a 2yo in open company. He should come on appreciably with the benefit of that outing so could represent good eachway value. PACIFIC, who finished more than 3-lengths ahead of that rival, and stable companion POTBERRIE, were recently gelded and are open to improvement so should play a role. The latter is closely matched on recent form with KWAGGA BLITZ who has to be respected. Newcomers LETONA and OLD FASHIONED are worth a market check and needn’t be special to make their presence felt. Watch the betting.
Selections:
#8 Espinoza, #6 Potberrie, #5 Kwagga Blitz, #1 Pacific
Vaal Classic, 26.09.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R110.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: SAVANNAH STORM, BANHA BRIDGE and TOTAL SURRENDER are the joint best-weighted runners in the race so they must be respected. The latter caught the eye when running on to finish second over 1600m on his return from a rest and should have more to offer over this extended trip with improved fitness. Last-start winner BATTLEGROUND and CLAW ought to remain competitive off career-high marks as both are progressive. However, it could pay to follow THUNEE PLAYA whose progress shouldn’t be halted by a 4-point penalty for winning a similar contest last time.
Selections:
#7 Thunee Playa, #9 Total Surrender, #5 Tamarisk Tree, #11 Royal Edition
Vaal Classic, 26.09.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R100.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: APACHE FIGHTER has maintained her form and consistency at a higher level so she ought to make the most of this ease in grade and drop in ratings. Progressive OLIVIA’S WAY, a last-start winner over course and distance on her handicap debut, shouldn’t be inconvenienced by the step up in class and a 3-point penalty so could give her stablemate most to fear in receipt of 6,5kg. LITTLEMARYSUNSHINE, on her Highveld return, MIGHTY GODDESS, ARIEL’S JET and ALPHABETTY are hard-knockers with both the form and experience to make their presence felt.
Selections:
#2 Apache Fighter, #7 Olivia’s Way, #3 Ariel’s Jet, #6 Mighty Goddess
Vaal Classic, 26.09.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R80.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: FAR REACHING relished the step up in distance to win a 1600m maiden by a widening 13 lengths. She may not have met the strongest but could hardly have been more impressive. This extended trip could unlock further improvement. ONE RELIGION will also appreciate the step up to 1800m after an encouraging second over 1400m on her seasonal reappearance. HAT’S QUEEN fits a similar profile and shouldn’t be underestimated with improvement expected over this trip. Recent maiden winners SILVER PARASOL and LOVE TAP, who beat male rivals, aren’t taken lightly.
Selections:
#2 Far Reaching, #3 One Religion, #4 Silver Parasol, #8 Hat’s Queen
Vaal Classic, 26.09.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R80.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: AMERICAN REBEL has improved with blinkers fitted and acquitted himself well in two post-maiden handicaps at a higher level. On the strength of that form, he is good value to capitalise on this drop in class off a 2-point lower rating. THAMBI is dangerous to discount off his current mark, especially given an equipment change. Hard-knockers SAFE SPACE, JAPANESE MAPLE and FUTUREWOLFF are closely matched on the form of a recent 2000m meeting and there shouldn’t be much between them on these revised weight terms. HIGH QUEUE isn’t discounted on handicap debut.
Selections:
#2 American Rebel, #3 Safe Space, #5 Japanese Maple, #7 High Queue
Vaal Classic, 26.09.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100.000, 15:55GMT+2
Race Summary: CHASING HAPPINESS is engaged to run earlier so her participation must be monitored. ICE STAR wasn’t disgraced in a 1200m feature last time, finishing 3.45-lengths behind the winner to whom she conceded 7,5kg. She is most effective over this shorter trip and should fare better at this level with her rider taking 2,5kg off the back. GREEN FLASH and JUST THE TWO OF US justified betting support with last-start course-and-distance victories. Both should remain competitive despite resultant penalties. Consistent sprinters VIRGINIA BEACH and THE NAVY LARK complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#1 Ice Star, #2 Chasing Happiness, #4 Green Flash, #6 Just The Two Of Us
Vaal Classic, 26.09.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R80.000, 16:30GMT+2
Race Summary: SEVENTEEN AGAIN wasn’t winning out of turn when fitted with this headgear for the first time, having finished second in both previous outings. She would’ve strengthened and improved during a subsequent 11-week break so it could be worth siding with on her 3yo debut. Fellow last-start maiden winner ROYAL HORIZON also has scope for improvement. SMASHING ran well on her handicap debut and is closely matched with IN THE ETHER on that form. Both have the ability to make life difficult for the principals. INVENTRIX and MICKE’S BOMB are others with earning potential.
Selections:
#7 Seventeen Again, #2 Royal Horizon, #9 Smashing, #5 In The Ether
Best Win: #1 ICE STAR
Best Value Bet: #7 THUNEE PLAYA
Best Longshot: #7 THUNEE PLAYA
