The Vaal, Thursday 30 July

The Vaal Classic track stages Thursday`s local races, a 9 race card with a 12:10 kick-off.


RACE TIMES

Race 1 - 12:10
Race 2 - 12:40
Race 3 - 13:15
Race 4 - 13:50
Race 5 - 14:25
Race 6 - 15:00
Race 7 - 15:35
Race 8 - 16:10
Race 9 - 16:45

TRACK INFORMATION



Race Track: Turf. 2800m oval track. Races up to 1000m straight course; beyond 1000m clockwise round turn with 1000m run-in.

Best Draws: High-number draws favoured over 1000m; low-number draws best 1200m and 1450m.

Pen - 21
Going - Good
False Rail - Zero back straight 5.5m on the bend with 7m spur at 800m mark.

EXOTICS

Bi Pot (Races 2-7 )
P A (Races 3-9 )
Pick 6 (Races 4-9 )
Jackpot 1 (Races 5-8 )
Jackpot 2 (Races 6-9 )

BEST BET - Race 6 CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (33/10* )

VALUE BET - Race 8 MIDNIGHT TOP (10/1* )

VAAL CLASSIC THURSDAY 30/07/2020 FORMGUIDES, SELECTIONS, PERMUTATIONS

R1



Preview: THEATRE OF DREAM (4) is improving and from a good draw over a slight step up in trip the blinkers come off. SPECTRAL (3) was two lengths behind Theatre Of Dreams last time and now has her third run after a layoff. NAZARETH (1) led last time over 1400m before fading late into third so the step down in trip is interesting. (David Thiselton 4-3-1)



R2



Preview: FISTS OF FIRE (2) ran a good race last time from a possibly tricky draw down the straight over 1160m and he now has a fair draw in his third run after a layoff and gelding. BINGWA (5) made an eye catching debut and with expected improvement this scopey sort can go close. BURNING ICE (6) was a bit cramped for room in the early stages on debut and ran out of steam late to be beaten 6,45 lengths by Fists Of Fire but he should do better here with that experience under the belt. (David Thiselton 2-5-6-1-3)



R3



Preview: ATTENTIVE(1) needed his last start and before that over this sort of trip was a length ahead of Bravestarr. BRAVESTARR (3) drops back to a more suitable trip and is capable of a good finish which he will need to produce being drawn wide. FOREVER LIGHT (11) faced Nourbese last time and the latter subsequently won a Grade 2 so he can be forgiven that mediocre effort and he looks to have the ability to do better. (David Thiselton 1-3-11-2-5-9)



R4



Preview: GAL GADOT (1) finished well from last in her last start and has a form chance in this uninspiring field. SERENITY (2) has a good draw and has just 1,75 lengths to make up on Gal Gadot. SEA ISLAND showed promise in a race over this trip last October and if the layoff has aided her she can be a contender here. (David Thiselton 1-2-8-10-9)



R5



Preview: TRICKY BUSINESS (5) was not disgraced last time over this trip and now has another plum draw and the blinkers come on. FORT LOVE (6) showed some improvement over this trip last time and Khumalo is aboard. ROMANTIC ERA (1) went close over 2600m last time and has run a couple of decenta races over this trip. (David Thiselton 5-6-1)



R6



Preview: CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (1) is a blossoming sort who has Strydom up over a step up in trip which should suit. SNORTING BULL (6) stays the trip and has a fine chance if finding cover from a good draw of five. ODD ROB (3) is well drawn and is a talented stayer who does have a few quirks. (David Thiselton 1-6-3)



R7



Preview: LOUVAIN (6) should be cherry ripe and on her favourite course should handle this distance from a good draw. ELUSIVE FORCE (3) went close over course and distance last time but does have a tougher draw. KAPAMA (4) has improved this year wit hold up tactics and is always dangerous. (David Thiselton 6-3-4)



R8



Preview: WHIPPING BOY (1) tends to takes the foot off the pedal when hitting the front but he has ability and should be running on under a 2,5kg claimer after being dropped out from a wide draw. NOW AND FOREVER (12) has run two fair races since joining this in form yard and will be cherry ripe so can do well from a good draw. COUNTRY SQUIRE (9) won his only previous start over this course and distance and a six point drop should make him competitive. (David Thiselton 1-12-9)



R9



Preview: SOUL OF WIT (2) has Strydom up in her return to a trip she did well over and she is well drawn. PERSICA (6) is capable of a strong finish so can go close if jumping better than last time. OLIVINE (went close in her only start over course and distance after staying on from a similarly wide draw to this one. (David Thiselton 2-6-3)

SELECTIONS:

Race 1. (4) THEATRE OF DREAMS (3) SPECTRAL (1) NAZARETH

Race 2. (2) FISTS OF FIRE (5) BINGWA (6) BURNING ICE

Race 3. (1) ATTENTIVE (3) BRAVESTARR (11) FOREVER LIGHT

Race 4. (1) GAL GADOT (2) SERENITY ( SEA ISLAND

Race 5. (5) TRICKY BUSINESS (6) FORT LOVE (1) ROMANTIC ERA

Race 6. (1) CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (6) SNORTING BULL (3) ODD ROB

Race 7. (6) LOUVAIN (3) ELUSIVE FORCE (4) KAPAMA

Race 8. (1) WHIPPING BOY (12) NOW AND FOREVER (9) COUNTRY SQUIRE

Race 9. (2) SOUL OF WIT (6) PERSICA (3) OLIVINE

Place Accumulator: (R216)
Leg 1: 1,3,11
Leg 2: 1,2,8
Leg 3: 5,6,1
Leg 4: 1,6
Leg 5: 6,3
Leg 6: 1,12
Leg 7: 2

Pick 6: (R1500)
Leg 1: 1,2,8,10,9
Leg 2: 5,6,1,2,10
Leg 3: 1,6
Leg 4: 6,3,4,5,7
Leg 5: 1,12,9,7,5,2
Leg 6: 2

Jackpot: (R300)
Leg 1: 5,6,1,2,10
Leg 2: 1,6
Leg 3: 6,3,4,5,7
Leg 4: 1,12,9,7,5,2

Best Bet:
Race 9: 2

Value Bet:
Race 6: 6

5) 7 Bos Koors e/w

Lots of support for the Dawson baby in race 2.

Another nightmare card!!!

....quite like the Matchett babies....he knows how to get them going early......

REGARDS TO ALL ew
FISTS OF FIRE if the f/t not 100% this should win
CHAMPINGATTHEBIT maybe the jock change helps - should really win this on this run www.formgrids.info/subscriber/fgRaceResu...&hs=CHAMPINGATTHEBIT
a foot behind NORBESE(placed Nursery and winner Golden HShoe) also Gatecrasher Stakes winner , placed horse in KZN Breeders and Million sales race winner Winter Stories - I have gone for him before and he ran poorly in a very weak field so perhaps he's a tease - many of my bets around him !!!

COTOPAXI include LOVE TO GIVE in quartets
FORT LOVE ew
SNORTING BULL quartets
LEAGUE OF HER OWN ew
WESTWING BELTER ew - ran 4.5l behind Vistula last year - bottom weight and best draw -

Race 2 - Curious drawn perfectly for the cd and should go close.

Race 8 - The Brass Way doing well after a break. E/W

Cotopaxi E/W

Palace Green in the next - must go close at these weights ?

Floribunda E/w