RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2024.11.28
Vaal, 28.11.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: PRETTY PRECIOUS showed speed before tiring late on her Highveld debut after a break following her relocation from the Western Cape. She would have tightened up with the benefit of that comeback outing and appeals most of the raced runners. INTRO has finished 2nd three times over this distance and will be a factor if confirming the improvement of her last start. TOUCH OF HEAVEN didn’t go unnoticed on debut and ought to improve with that experience to count on. Newcomers ABBEY’S VIEW and well-bred stablemate GIMME A STORM needn’t be special to make their presence felt on debut. Watch the betting!
Selections:
#1 Pretty Precious, #10 Gimme A Storm, #7 Intro, #11 Touch Of Heaven
Vaal, 28.11.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: JOOST DROOCHSLOOT was backed on debut when a fast-finishing 2nd over 1450m. He is open to any amount of improvement on his reappearance after a gelding operation. DYLAN’S CHAMP has improved in 2 starts after he was gelded and has race fitness on his side. GAMER and GIFT OF ROYAL have the experience to acquit themselves competitively but are vulnerable to less-exposed rivals MAJALUN and LADY FORTEZZA.
Selections:
#3 Dylan’s Champ, #7 Joost Droochsloot, #1 Gamer, #8 Majalun
Vaal, 28.11.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R135.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: KADIZORA finished 2nd in consecutive recent starts off a career-low mark so wouldn’t be winning out of turn. However, she copped a 2-point penalty for the latest of those efforts so may need to improve to go one better. Hard-knockers AVOONTOAST and ROSY LEMON have the form and experience to play leading roles, while RANI OF KITTUR need only repeat her last-start performance to have a say in the outcome on her reappearance. MOUNT ETNA, TWOSTEP QUEEN and DARLING HARBOUR have earning potential too.
Selections:
#3 Avoontoast, #6 Kadizora, #4 Rosy Lemon, #7 Twostep Queen
Vaal, 28.11.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R105.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: LAST CAR TO PASS confirmed the promise of her winning introduction by finishing 3rd on handicap debut over 1600m and gave the impression this extended trip could unlock further improvement. MARY READ, PLAY WITH FIRE, SNEAK PREVIEW and FREE IN SEATTLE have run well over this trip and their experience will stand them in good stead against the selection from whom they receive weight. Last-start winner ANNEWITHAN E returns from a break under a 7-point penalty but isn’t taken lightly with Gavin Lerena retaining the ride. Consistent PARTY PUNCH also has the means to get involved.
Selections:
#1 Last Car To Pass, #3 Mary Read, #6 Sneak Preview, #10 Free In Seattle
Vaal, 28.11.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R125.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Promising 3yo BUFFALO STORM CODY sets a good standard but achieved his rating over shorter trips. He stretches out to this distance for the first time but is open to improvement and the removal of the blinkers will aid his cause. Unbeaten COUNT INVICTO also tries the trip but has impressed in winning over 1200m and should be involved again. CONFEDERATE boasts solid form credentials and has scope for further progress after a recent gelding procedure. Maturing last-start maiden winner SUTHERLAND, in-form PRESSONREGARDLESS, veteran WHORLY WHORLY and class-dropper OMBUDSMAN complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#1 Buffalo Storm Cody, #5 Count Invicto, #6 Confederate, #10 Sutherland
Vaal, 28.11.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: ONE PARTY finished 2nd in her only start over this distance so will appreciate reverting to this shorter trip. AUTUMN VAR is closely matched on that form and should pose more of a threat on these revised weight terms. Class-dropper ROYAL HORIZON is dangerous to discount over this distance, especially off a reduced mark. BEADED GOWN was backed when finishing 2nd on her Highveld return and needs only to repeat that performance to play a leading role. Veteran mares TWICE AS WILD and SMELTING are in good form and should again acquit themselves competitively under claiming apprentices.
Selections:
#1 One Party, #3 Autumn Var, #5 Royal Horizon, #7 Beaded Gown
Vaal, 28.11.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R135.000, 15:55GMT+2
Race Summary: NETTLETON is at the top of her game and made light of a 6-point penalty to win a similar contest last time. She concedes weight to all under a further 5-point rise but should remain competitive. However, with the aid of a 4kg claimer, unexposed LADY OF MEMPHIS gets 13.5kg from that rival which could prove a bridge too far for the in-form top weight. Speedy EXECUTRIX will enjoy cutting back to 1000m in her peak outing and has scope for improvement, so she ought to feature prominently. BASKED IN GLORY, JUST THE TWO OF US and VIRGINIA BEACH appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#9 Lady Of Memphis, #1 Nettleton, #8 Executrix, #3 Virginia Beach
Vaal, 28.11.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 16:30GMT+2
Race Summary: COMMANDER OF ALL has acquitted himself well at a slightly higher level recently so this represents a good opportunity for him to recapture the winning thread, especially off a reduced mark. JET CAT, IN THE ETHER, SAMOA and DANCING DORA are veteran hard-knockers likely to give honest accounts of themselves. They won’t be far off the mark, nor will SMASHING and BREGARDT who have the means to make their presence felt. PACIFIC is another likely to go well over this shorter trip off a 2-point lower mark.
Selections:
#2 Commander Of All, #6 Pacific, #7 Samoa, #10 Jet Cat
Best Win: #3 DYLAN’S CHAMP
Best Value Bet: #9 LADY OF MEMPHIS
Best Longshot: #9 LADY OF MEMPHIS
