Download your South Africa racing information for FREE now:
RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2025.04.29
Vaal, 29.04.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1300m, Turf, R105.000, 12:30GMT+
Race Summary: Stablemates DYLAN’S CHAMP and HIGHVELD STORM will likely fight out the finish, judged on the strength and consistency of their form, though riding arrangements suggest the former is the pick of the pair under an accomplished work rider who has enjoyed success for the yard. Experienced TRIP TO STATES, unexposed NEW LIFE and filly MILO’S MILLIONAIRE should fill the minors.
Selections: #1 Dylan’s Champ, #2 Highveld Storm, #3 Trip To States, #6 New Life
Vaal, 29.04.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R95.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: This won’t take much winning so it could pay to follow the progress of 2yo BRIGHT AND BRAZEN should she take her place in this race. She is engaged to run at an earlier meeting so her participation may be in doubt. Older rivals PANTHER UNCIA, EMPRESS WU and BILINGUAL have the form and experience to trouble the selection, as does returning SUNFIRE who need only bounce back from an excusable last start to make her presence felt.
Selections: #8 Bright And Brazen, #2 Panthera Uncia, #4 Bilingual, #3 Empress Wu
Vaal, 29.04.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Experienced RINGHO finished hot on the heels of youngster SYLVAN WARRIOR over track and trip recently but isn’t likely to turn the tables on the improving latter who should confirm his superiority with further progress expected. ICONIC WINTER is open to any amount of improvement on her reappearance after an eye-catching debut so could pose more of a threat.
Selections: #7 Sylvan Warrior, #6 Iconic Winter, #1 Ringho, #3 Jet Querari
Vaal, 29.04.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R95.000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: ON A JET PLANE bounced back to form last time with a fast-finishing 2nd and she should play another leading role if reproducing a similar performance. Stablemate INTRO, experienced BELLA BOOP BOOP and maturing FLIGHTLIGHT have the means to make their presence felt too but improving LAVA LAMP is closely matched with the selection and likely pose a bigger threat, espeically with further progress on the cards. LADY NOIR is another likely improver with earning potential.
Selections: #1 On A Jet Plane, #6 Lava Lamp, #3 Bella Boop Boop, #8 Lady Noir
Vaal, 29.04.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: ROYAL MIRACLE, SKY PILLAR ROCK, MYSTIC VISION and CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD finished 2nd last time out and should have roles to play in the outcome if confirming and building on that improvement. However, it could pay to follow the progress of unexposed TWO FOR THE BOYS whose fast-finishing 3rd last time (behind MYSTIC VISION) over 1400m gave the impression this extended trip could be more to his liking and may unlock further progress.
Selections: #9 Two For The Boys, #1 Royal Miracle, #4 Mystic Vision, #5 Chieftain’s Shield
Vaal, 29.04.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R95.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: ARTIC SILVER finished behind LUNAR RAINBOW over 1800m earlier this month but was given a more patient ride when staying on well to finish a close-up 4th over 1700m on this track last time out. She’s open to further progress in her first go at this extended trip and needn’t improve much to turn the tables on her familiar foe. JINGER JAM, AMBER EYES and PASS THE BATON are all held by that form so will have only minor roles to play.
Selections: #1 Artic Silver, #2 Lunar Rainbow, #3 Jinger Jam, #4 Amber Eyes
Vaal, 29.04.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R105.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: HEROIC ACT outran market expectations when a fast-finishing 2nd over this trip on his reappearance. He would have come on with that comeback run under his belt so should be competitive and confirm his superiority over consistent GIFT OF ROYAL who has the form and experience to again make his presence felt. The latter is also held on recent form by improving BRIGHAM whose career-best 2nd in first-time blinkers recently was encouraging and it’s no surprise to see the headgear retained. SANTIAGO’S PRIDE, BLURRED VISION and ALAKANANI complete the shortlist.
Selections: #3 Brigham, #2 Heroic Act, #4 Gift Of Royal, #1 Santiago’s Pride
Vaal, 29.04.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1300m, Turf, R95.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: SAUDI SWEEP sets the standard and would not be winning out of turn after finishing 2nd over a similar trip against male opposition. However, SASHA LEE could make life difficult for the selection if building on the improvement of her last start when fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time (retained). LIKE A PRAYER, LILAC SNOW and MADAME POMPADOUR have the form and experience to get into the picture, though are vulnerable to less-exposed rivals. Newcomer AMERICAN SOCIALITE fits that profile and is worth a market check on debut.
Selections: #1 Saudi Sweep, #9 Sasha Lee, #2 Like A Prayer, #10 American Socialite
Best Win: #3 BRIGHAM
Best Value Bet: #9 TWO FOR THE BOYS
Best Longshot: #9 TWO FOR THE BOYS
