Download your South Africa racing information for FREE now:
RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2025.02.18
Vaal Classic, 18.02.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R95.000, 12:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Gimmethegreenlight filly FLIGHTLIGHT deserves another chance. She had no finish in her last race but her penultimate was a decent effort. Watch out for improvement from JINGER JAM. She wasn’t disgraced after a slow start on debut and the extra distance should suit. EMPRESS WU has honest form and it could be the right race for her. She should prefer the shorter distance on pedigree. BELLA BOOP BOOP and BLACK HOLE SUN have shown some form and could make the Trifecta and Quartet bets pay.
Selections: #2 Flightlight, #8 Jinger Jam, #1 Empress Wu, #3 Bella Boop Boop
Vaal Classic, 18.02.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R130.000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Plenty newcomers in the hunt and the betting market should be a significant pointer. MISTER WILSON showed good pace on debut and is set to make good improvement. He is bred for a bit further but could, nevertheless, pass this test. BRIGHT AND BRAZEN was speedy on debut and could keep going with the experience under his belt. NYAKA NYAKA wasn’t far off in his first outing and is one to keep tabs on. Querari filly SCARLETT HEART and KING HARALD, a half-brother to Grade 1 star Lucky Lad, could be the first-timers to watch out for.
Selections: #2 Mister Wilson, #8 Bright And Brazen, #3 Nyaka Nyaka, #1 King Harald
Vaal Classic, 18.02.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R120.000, 13:50GMT+2
Race Summary: CAPE SAFFRON is a Flower Alley filly out of a Dynasty mare and as expected has shown some ability. She looks to have a big chance in this line up. KALEESH CYBORG ran no kind of race last time and that run is best forgotten, he had excuses. The drop in distance looks the better option for him at this point in time. ROYAL MIRACLE could be the dark horse. He ran a better race after a rest and gelding last time and may yet have more to come. CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD has had a few chances but his best run was over this distance when beaten in a close finish. He looks a threat too.
Selections: #1 Kaleesh Cyborg, #7 Cape Saffron, #2 Royal Miracle, #3 Chieftain’s Shield
Vaal Classic, 18.02.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R90.000, 14:25GMT+2
Race Summary: JUNIPER GREEN found form when a decent second behind promising Green Sapphire last time. That could be the form to be with. Veteran racehorse WHISPERS OF WAR is capable of a lot better. He has dropped in the handicap and could show what he is made off in this division. FAST DUTY needs to find a bit more for his next win. He has drawn well and could get the race run to suit. FORCE DE DIEU is the type that can pop up at decent odds one of the days. He is a capable frontrunner at best. PERINI PALACE and BOB LEE SWAGGER must be considered on current form.
Selections: #1 Juniper Green, #5 Whispers Of War, #3 Fast Duty, #2 Force De Dieu
Vaal Classic, 18.02.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R120.000, 15:00GMT+2
Race Summary: SUTHERLAND has the form needed to win more races. The gelded son of legendary stallion Silvano ran on well last time and should appreciate the step up in distance again. But he will need to be more decisive as JUST VAR, who won a nice race from the front, could do so again if allowed. He is also doing well but is up in ratings and class. KOTINOS is holding form and is back to what looks to be his best track so should be right there. HAZLO GRANDE is better than his recent form. RUN FOR COVER has run some cracking races but may just need it after a rest. Most can earn in this one.
Selections: #3 Sutherland, #4 Just Var, #8 Kotinos, #5 Hazlo Grande
Vaal Classic, 18.02.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R100.000, 15:35GMT+2
Race Summary: ANOTHER UNIVERSE is a lightly raced sort with prospects. He can race from the front so should overcome his wide draw and may just keep going. Watch out for POPLAR PARK who again caught the eye after winning her maiden with a good finish. The distance should suit on running style. ANGEL’S WISH ran on well but too late last time. It could be the right race for her to go close. ROMEO’S MAGIC won as he liked and having drawn well is not one to take lightly. ULTIMISSIMO made improvement in her last start and needs to be watched. Open past these.
Selections: #3 Another Universe, #7 Poplar Park, #12 Angel’s Wish, #2 Romeo’s Magic
Vaal Classic, 18.02.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R160.000, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: TSAR BOMBA found form again last time. He is useful but interestingly is fitted with blinkers for the first time and the headgear could be what needs. THE AFRICA HOUSE ran an eye-catching race last time. He has won at this venue but will need to get going sooner over the shorter distance. NIGHT BOMBER won in spite of a wide draw last time. The gelded son of ill-fated stallion Lancaster Bomber is talented and should give another good account of himself. DANTONFROMSANDTON took his chances in the Gauteng Guineas but it didn’t work out. He must be respected at this level. More can earn.
Selections: #4 Tsar Bomba, #8 The Africa House, #9 Night Bomber, #1 Dantonfromsandton
Vaal Classic, 18.02.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: VIRGIN RIVER has not disgraced herself finishing runner-up in her last two. She met decent fields in those races and now having her third run after rest could get rewarded. NEERAH hasn’t put a foot wrong of late, having won her last two, and could make it three wins in a row. PHANTOM EXPRESS wasn’t far off NEERAH when they met and went on to frank the form with a good win last time. She must be respected. DIVINE MOONLIGHT and GLOBAL THUNDER both have the form to be in the fight for prize money. MICKE’S BOMB is carded to run prior and that run must be checked.
Selections: #2 Virgin River, #3 Neerah, #5 Phantom Express, #4 Divine Moonlight
Best Win: #3 SUTHERLAND
Best Value Bet: #4 TSAR BOMBA
Best Longshot: #4 TSAR BOMBA
