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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2025.02.25
Vaal Classic, 25.02.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R120.000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: OLD FASHIONED has a bad habit of conceding ground at the start but his recent form over this trip is good. He should play a leading role and needn’t improve much, if at all, to open his account. PURSUIT OF FAME and RINGHO are experienced long-time maidens with earning potential. However, returning JUST JAZZED UP is open to any amount of improvement on her reappearance so could pose a bigger threat, especially in receipt of a handy 2.5kg sex allowance.
Selections: #1 Old Fashioned, #8 Just Jazzed Up, #3 Ringho, #4 What A Predator
Vaal Classic, 25.02.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 13:10GMT+2
Race Summary: LADY OF ARC was returning from a 6-month absence when only tiring late to finish 4th over this trip recently. She would’ve tightened up with the benefit of that run so it could pay to follow her progress. ACT ON SNOW, EMPRESS WU and GREEN EXTREME also have room for improvement so could get into the picture. WORLD TOUR had legitimate excuses for an underwhelming debut performance but she was prominent in the betting so shouldn’t be underestimated. CYBER SPIRIT and BILINGUAL complete the shortlist.
Selections: #1 Lady Of Arc, #10 Misty Metal, #11 World Tour, #5 Cyber Spirit
Vaal Classic, 25.02.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: IN THE ETHER, TOGETHER AGAIN, DANCING DORA and SMELTING are hard-knocking handicappers with the form and experience at this level to acquit themselves competitively. However, they’re all engaged to run at an earlier meeting so their participation could be in doubt. GAELIC DANCER and RAINING RUBIES weren’t disgraced at a higher level last time so they must be respected in this grade, especially off reduced ratings. TAKE YOUR PLACE is most effective over 1000m. She was 2nd in a similar race over track and trip 2 starts back and a repeat of that performance off a slightly lower mark could suffice.
Selections: #3 Take Your Place, #6 In The Ether, #4 Raining Rubies, #8 Dancing Dora
Vaal Classic, 25.02.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R135.000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: VIRGIN RIVER was returning from a 9-month absence when finishing 2 lengths ahead of KIA KAHA in a similar course-and-distance event on Christmas Eve. Both are lightly raced and remain open to improvement but the former, in her peak outing, should confirm her superiority on 0.5kg better terms. Consistent familiar foes THE NAVY LARK and JUST THE TWO OF US are closely matched on the form of earlier meetings, and they should be on the premises at the business end. Last-start winner PHANTOM EXPRESS and speedy VIRGINIA BEACH aren’t taken lightly either.
Selections: #7 Virgin River, #5 Kia Kaha, #10 The Navy Lark, #1 Just The Two Of Us
Vaal Classic, 25.02.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R110.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: POTBERRIE acquitted himself well in defeat at a higher level last time under a 6-point penalty. He won his previous start over this course and distance and another bold bid is expected. MISS LIA (only filly in the race) also boasts a 100% record over track and trip. She should fare better after a no-show from the widest draw in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies’ Guineas. Highly regarded BANFF is unexposed so can’t be taken lightly stretching out to this distance in his peak outing. Returning KAMENSKY (gelded), lightly raced ROYAL FORCE, PEACE TREATY and LAVA FIRE can get involved too.
Selections: #1 Potberrie, #2 Miss Lia, #3 Banff, #4 Royal Force
Vaal Classic, 25.02.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R110.000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: MISS SCALETTA bounced back to form last time in a similar race over 1600m and will be competitive if repeating that performance, even under a 4-point penalty. POINTER and GOLDEN MOMENT ought to improve for the step up to this extended trip so should make their presence felt. GREAT NOTION and ACCEPT COOKIES have solid form credentials and they will be competitive under bottom-weight 52kg. Returning SAIGON SUZIE isn’t without a chance either. However, preference is for consistent FRANCILIEN who is eased in grade and races off a reduced mark.
Selections: #4 Francilien, #1 Miss Scaletta, #8 Accept Cookies, #6 Golden Moment
Vaal Classic, 25.02.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R120.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: ZANTHAR is carded to run at an earlier meeting so his participation could be in doubt. He is closely matched with SECRET CHORD on recent form so he will be competitive if taking his place. The latter edged that 11 January meeting at Turffontein and should uphold that form on similar weight terms. SPRING TRADITION, KINSHIN SHA and SUPER AWESOME have the form and experience to trouble those rivals, while BIG BOY BRUCE need only confirm the improvement of his last start to make his presence felt too. Last-start maiden winner PAUL REVERE completes the shortlist.
Selections: #1 Secret Chord, #2 Zanthar, #4 Kinshin Sha, #5 Big Boy Bruce
Vaal Classic, 25.02.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: WRITTEN IN STONE was an authoritative winner of a similar course-and-distance handicap last month. He beat re-opposing SAIL THE SKY by 3 lengths and despite a 2.5kg turnaround, is good value to confirm his superiority. ORIENTAL BOUQUET, JET CAT, TWICE AS WILD and JUNIPER GREEN bounced back to form last time and need only to confirm that improvement to have a say in the outcome. Recent course-and-distance maiden winner OKLAHOMA TWISTER has it all to do from a wide gate.
Selections: #4 Written In Stone, #5 Sail The Sky, #8 Oriental Bouquet, #10 Twice As Wild
Best Win: #1 OLD FASHIONED
Best Value Bet: #1 SECRET CHORD
Best Longshot: #1 SECRET CHORD
