RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2024.10.03
Vaal Classic, 03.10.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R80.000, 12:20GMT+2
Race Summary: A weak race and anything is possible. The Futura-gelding SANTIAGO’S PRIDE makes his debut but would not be a surprise winner. REMAINS OF THE DAY is carded to have run on Saturday 28 so that run will need to be looked at. TIGER STORM is clearly better than his last run suggests and he could make all to win a race like this. PURSUIT OF FAME is only moderate but does have a winning chance. KHICHDI could make vast improvement off a weak debut.
Selections:
#7 Santiago’s Pride, #4 Tiger Storm, #1 Remains Of The Day, #5 Pursuit Of Fame
Vaal Classic, 03.10.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R95.000, 12:55GMT+2
Race Summary: ENDIZAYO was heavily supported in the betting to win on debut and did not do badly when runner-up. She will have learnt from that experience and can go one better. EXECUTRIX flopped on debut when backed but showed good improvement and was not beaten far in her second run. She may well need further than this 1000m to be seen at her very best but she can score. FAN THE FLAME and KIVULI make their debut so keep an eye on their betting for support. ON A JET PLANE ran all over the course last week. Blinkers have been reached for and if they keep her straight she will be a serious threat.
Selections:
#3 Endizayo, #4 Executrix, #7 On A Jet Plane, #5 Fan The Flame
Vaal Classic, 03.10.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R95.000, 13:30GMT+2
Race Summary: A competitive start to the Pick 6. FAITHFUL MISTRESS and GREENHOUSE both showed promise on their debut and could fight out the finish. SAUDI SWEEP has run well in all three starts and should be involved with the finish yet again. EXPLOSIVE GIFT ran in snatched on debut and could need further to be seen at her best. INSTANT ATTRACTION is improving and can fight out the finish as well.
Selections:
#8 Greenhouse, #7 Faithful Mistress, #9 Instant Attraction, #2 Saudi Sweep
Vaal Classic, 03.10.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R105.000, 14:05GMT+2
Race Summary: An interesting race. HAT TRICK OR TREAT is improving and has been runner-up in his last two starts. He can go one better this time but there are other runners to consider. ARCTIC OWL is a Querari-colt that could be above average making his debut for trainer Tony Peter. PROLIFIC STAR has had just the one start and could make vast improvement. EXCEEDINGLY GLAM has had just the one start. Her trainer, Sean Tarry has made a living out of winning with horses like her so keep an eye on the betting as she could be ready to strike.
Selections:
#3 Hat Trick Or Treat, #7 Arctic Owl, #10 Exceedingly Glam, #9 Prolific Star
Vaal Classic, 03.10.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R175.000, 14:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Another intersting race as it will be a preparation race for many of these runners heading into the summer season. MERIDIUS won a similar contest last time out and can follow up. BINGWA is clearly a lot better than what he showed last time out and a much better performance from him can be expected. NONE OTHER is best weighted based on what she did in better races than this but is returning from a break and her fitness will need to be taken on trust. GOOD COUNCIL is in good form and should contest the finish. EAST COAST returns from a break but has won at this course. MASTER CHRISTMAS is out at the weights but he loves this course and is not out of it.
Selections:
#2 Meridius, #6 Master Christmas, #3 None Other, #5 Good Council
Vaal Classic, 03.10.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 15:15GMT+2
Race Summary: ACROSS THE POND continues to improve and is very brave as she fights hard very late in a race. She could pull off her hat-trick but she will need to produce a career-best performance to do so. VULCANITE impressed when winning by a wide margin last time out. The handicapper was not kind to her and she comes into this race having to give weight to the improving three-time winner ACROSS THE POND. The handicapper may be right and she could be as good as they rate her. BETULA is in good form but it is never easy to give weight away to young and improving runners. SPIRITED GIRL and ZENOBIA’S GOLD are also capable of getting involved with the finish.
Selections:
#5 Across The Pond, #1 Betula, #7 Zenobia’s Gold, #6 Spirited Girl
Vaal Classic, 03.10.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R95.000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: WILLOWILD may have just needed her last run when third last time out. That was behind a four-in-a-row winning filly. She looks better than her current merit-rating and can prove it by winning this race. TWOSTEP QUEEN is improving and can be competitive once again. EASY ON ME was hard ridden to get her maiden win but has scope for further improvement. FREE IN SEATTLE is consistent and can contest the finish yet again. IT’S HER WAY and NORTHERN KITTEN are both coming off good runs and deserve some respect.
Selections:
#8 Willowild, #2 Twostep Queen, #3 Easy On Me, #7 It’s Her Way
Vaal Classic, 03.10.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R85.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: A tough last leg of the Pick 6 and it may pay to go wide in this leg. GUARDIA REGINE is a bit unreliable but did run well last time out and can go one better with luck in running. KOTINOS is in good form and can contest the finish again. RISKY BUSINESS has won four in a row and her last win was the easiest of the lot so she deserves the utmost respect. CONFEDERATE is improving and should fight out the finish. GUERILLA WARFARE and GREEN BUBBLES are both coming off good runs and are capable of getting into the mix.
Selections:
#6 Guardia Regine, #3 Confederate, #8 Green Bubbles, #1 Kotinos
Best Win: #8 WILLOWILD
Best Value Bet:
Best Longshot: #6 GUARDIA REGINE
