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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2025.04.17
Vaal, 17.04.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R120.000, 11:10GMT+2
Race Summary: WAR OF KINGDOMS was only narrowly beaten on debut and, with that experience to count on, needn’t improve much to open his account. MIZZEN SWORD wouldn’t be winning out of turn after consecutive seconds and could make life difficult for the selection. TRIP TO STATES has the form and experience to also make his presence felt, though a bigger threat will likely come from well-bred newcomers TINTIN and SOHO HEARTTHROB.
Selections: #8 War Of Kingdoms, #1 Mizzen Sword, #7 Tintin, #4 Trip To States
Vaal, 17.04.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 11:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Maturing TRAIL RUNNER and improving GREEN EXTREME are genuine candidates for victory, though preference is for the latter who wouldn’t be winning out of turn after finishing second in back-to-back 1000m appearances. SHAMOON, MISTY METAL, EMPRESS WU and GENOVEFA will also have roles to play if building on improved recent performances.
Selections: #3 Green Extreme, #1 Trail Runner, #12 Genovefa, #6 Misty Metal
Vaal, 17.04.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R120.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Runner-up in 3 of his 6 starts, ICHACHA needn’t be fully tuned on his reappearance to play a leading role. GREEN STREET, herself second in 2 of 3 outings, has also shown enough to fight for victory. However, Craig Zackey gets off that runner to partner well-bred CRESCENDO instead, so it could pay to side with the latter on his return from a rest and gelding operation. Well-related gelding MOLOTOV COCKTAIL is worth a market check on debut.
Selections: #5 Crescendo, #8 Green Street, #6 Molotov Cocktail, #1 Ichacha
Vaal, 17.04.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R105.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: ON A JET PLANE had excuses for a disappointing last start and will be competitive if bouncing back to her earlier form. NKWENKWEZI and CAPE SAFFRON are open to improvement over the extended trip so could fight out the finish, with a slight preference given to the latter from gate one. ARTIC SILVER and FLIGHTLIGHT have earlier engagements but shouldn’t be far off the mark if taking their place in this line-up.
Selections: #3 Cape Saffron, #2 Nkwenkwezi, #4 Artic Silver, #9 Lava Lamp
Vaal, 17.04.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R120.000, 13:20GMT+2
Race Summary: THE ULTIMATE KING has improved with each outing and needn’t make a great deal of further progress to score on his reappearance as a gelding. SEVENTH FLEET and FUTURE KING are likely to pose the biggest threat to the selection although CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD has the form and experience to also make his presence felt.
Selections: #1 The Ultimate King, #2 Seventh Fleet, #8 Future King, #5 Chieftain’s Shield
Vaal, 17.04.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Hard-knockers DOUGLAS DRAGON and SAFE SPACE are effective over this distance but probably better over further. As such, a chance is taken on improving OBSIDIAN who will relish this extended trip after a comeback maiden victory over 1400m. WILLOW EXPRESS, GUERILLA WARFARE and LAUGHING WILLIAM complete the shortlist.
Selections: #9 Obsidian, #4 Douglas Dragon, #7 Safe Space, #2 Willow Express
Vaal, 17.04.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R160.000, 14:30GMT+2
Race Summary: BOB’S YOUR UNCLE, PRESLEY and THE AFRICA HOUSE are versatile and consistent performers with good records over this distance. They all finished second in their most recent appearances and will likely play leading roles if repeating those performances. TSAR BOMBA and CAPTAINOFTHEGREEN aren’t taken lightly, while ZUZAN shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Selections: #7 Bob’s Your Uncle, #4 Presley, #5 The Africa House, #1 Zuzan
Vaal, 17.04.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R135.000, 15:05GMT+2
Race Summary: CALLMEWHENUNEEDME (peak run), returning DUENNA and last-start winner NIGHT VIGIL make up a competitive three-pronged Pettigrew attack. The latter has thrived since relocating to the Highveld and appeals most of the trio. Fellow 4yo fillies JUST THE TWO OF US and CALANTHA are lightly raced and remain open to improvement so could get involved. Younger rivals MISS LIA, SALENIO PENINSULA and KINDRED HEART also have the ability to stake a claim.
Selections: #4 Night Vigil, #5 Miss Lia, #6 Salenio Peninsula, #11 Calantha
Vaal, 17.04.2025, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 15:40GMT+2
Race Summary: CARS BIG AS BARS won back-to-back starts over this distance before a 156-day absence and is open to any amount of improvement on her reappearance, so it could pay to follow her progress. Last-start winner MAVERICK QUEEN and LADY OF ARC fit a similar profile and will likely expose any chinks in that rival’s armour. ALABAMA ANNA, EXCEEDINGLY GLAM and KINGS AGAIN appeal most of the remainder.
Selections: #9 Cars Big As Bars, #6 Maverick Queen, #10 Lady Of Arc, #3 Alabama Anna
Best Win: #1 THE ULTIMATE KING
Best Value Bet: #5 CRESCENDO
Best Longshot: #5 CRESCENDO
