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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2025.01.21
Vaal Classic, 21.01.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R95.000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: THE MIGHTIEST ran a decent race when beaten under a length in KwaZulu-Natal recently. She should build on that and can open her account. HEARTS ON FIRE is still learning what it is all about. She was having only her second start when staying on after racing handily and must improve. INSTANT ATTRACTION is overdue. She has run a few decent races and just needs to get the timing right. SHES EVERYTHING wasn’t disgraced in her first run after a rest and is open to good improvement. DEVILISHLYGORGEOUS has previously shown in the Western Cape, watch out.
Selections: #5 The Mightiest, #11 Hearts On Fire, #6 Instant Attraction, #4 Shes Everything
Vaal Classic, 21.01.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R120.000, 13:10GMT+2
Race Summary: KALEESH CYBORG has been misbehaving a tad at the start. He has some decent form in the bank and could still put it together over the longer distance. BEYNAC has finished behind the former but looks capable of a lot better and races for a yard in hot form. GIFT OF ROYAL caught the eye last time and gives the impression he would enjoy the extra as well. It could get close between BAD MEDICINE and SNOW MOON – both had things go wrong in their last meeting. HUEHUETENANGO came in for support on debut and must be watched.
Selections: #5 Kaleesh Cyborg, #9 Gift Of Royal, #7 Snow Moon, #8 Bad Medicine
Vaal Classic, 21.01.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R110.000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: ONLY A POET was unlucky in his last start being denied by a neck at the end of the marathon. He could finally get his reward in this kind of contest. But SILVANO’S SONG beat him easily the last time they met. The latter could confirm if seeing it out but has a bit more to do at the weights. NUCLEAR FORCE ran an encouraging race last time. He has proven stamina in the bank and may just be ready to finally win at this track. FLAG BEARER is in good form and should be right there. MO MENT has a tougher task against these but stayed on well to win his maiden. He can improve.
Selections: #1 Silvano’s Song, #2 Only A Poet, #3 Nuclear Force, #5 Flag Bearer
Vaal Classic, 21.01.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R135.000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: HAT’S QUEEN rates the form choice. She is holding form well and is now having her third run after a rest so should have every chance. ONE RELIGION wasn’t disgraced when runner-up in the Sun Chariot Handicap last time. She easily beat HAT’S QUEEN previously and if not minding the drop in distance could be a big threat again. MOUNT ETNA was on a roll before in a Listed feature last time. She is dropping in class and could go a lot better this time. FLAMBOYANT FLYER ran a bit below par last time and that run is best ignored. ROSY LEMON must have earning potential too.
Selections: #6 Hat’s Queen, #5 One Religion, #1 Mount Etna, #8 Flamboyant Flyer
Vaal Classic, 21.01.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R105.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Not an easy race and it may pay to go wide in exotic bets. SILKY JET was reported not to be striding freely when nevertheless a decent third after a rest last time. It looks the right race for her and she has drawn well. FREE IN SEATTLE is holding form nicely and could take advantage with Muzi Yeni up from gate No 1. POPLAR PARK won well enough to suggest she could make a decent handicap debut in this division. RUBY REBEL didn’t show her best last time but she looks capable of better and could upset. SNEAK PREVIEW is in good form and should be right there again.
Selections: #8 Silky Jet, #4 Free In Seattle, #5 Poplar Park, #6 Ruby Rebel
Vaal Classic, 21.01.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R120.000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: All of KUDZU, ONE MORE STAR and GUY ALEXANDER are strong form runners with prior engagements. KUDZU has finished runner-up in his last three and would be deserving. He is stepped up in distance but it must be remembered that he won his maiden over 2000m. ONE MORE STAR runs like the trip will be right up his alley. He is a well-bred youngster with scope. GUY ALEXANDER can’t be faulted on recent form but has more to do. Watch out for ON TARGET who didn’t mind a hike in class as he was beaten in a close finish last time. He has drawn a bit wide. QUARTERMAIN must be included on form as well.
Selections: #7 One More Star, #9 On Target, #5 Quatermain, #3 Kudzu
Vaal Classic, 21.01.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R105.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: CORRUPT could be anything. He was backed to win his debut and didn’t disappoint. He should relish the distance and could make a successful handicap debut. LAUGHING WILLIAM was slightly disappointing last time but is capable of a lot better. He jumps from gate No 1 and should have every chance. DIWALI ROCKET won a nice race over 1800m and is open to further improvement. But he may find this short and has drawn wide after a rest. PRIMAL QUEST showed good pace to win his maiden after showing little prior. He could be on the up having matured. TRIDENT KING is capable of a decent effort.
Selections: #5 Corrupt, #7 Laughing William, #1 Diwali Rocket, #8 Primal Quest
Vaal Classic, 21.01.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Many in the last are carded to run prior and all of those runs must be checked before making a final assessment. DANCING DORA has much in her favour and could get back to winning ways with Gavin Lerena up. ORIENTAL BOUQUET should relish the step up in trip but along with speedy SAIL THE SKY and capable JET CAT will need luck from wide gates. WRITTEN IN STONE is always capable of a decent effort. SAMTHEWISEMAN has won at this venue and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him suddenly produce the goods again. BREATH OF MAGIC has an upset chance from a decent draw.
Selections: #8 Dancing Dora, #3 Oriental Bouquet, #1 Sail The Sky, #6 Written In Stone
Best Win: #5 CORRUPT
Best Value Bet: #8 SILKY JET
Best Longshot: #8 SILKY JET
