VAAL THURSDAY 4 APRIL 2024

# Vaal Thursday 4 April 2024 – Comments by David Thiselton


RACE 1
8 WINDS OF CHANGE 3 DON’T CRY FOR ME 6 SERRANO

Preview: 8 WINDS OF CHANGE has outstanding Cape Town form and will be hard to beat. 3 DON’T CRY FOR ME made a good debut when narrowly beaten by a well backed first-timer. 6 SERRANO is by exciting news sire Buffalo Bill Cody and is a half-brother to the like of three-time winner Spice Market. (8-3-6)

RACE 2

9 SCARS OF WAR 3 BOSUM BUDDY 10 TAKE YOUR PLACE 5 KINDRED HEART

Preview: 9 SCARS OF WAR is by Heavenly Blue and is a half-sister to the useful sprinter Swing Upon A Star. 3 BOSUM BUDDY made a good debut behind a well back horse. 10 TAKE YOUR PLACE just failed on debut at long odds and the form has worked out reasonably well. 5 KINDRED HEART has been knocking on the door and should be involved. (9-3-10-5)

RACE 3
3 LEESON 6 NUCLEAR FORCE 5 CREPUSCOLO 4 NAMAQUA BLOSSOM

Preview: 3 LEESON ran well over 2400m last time in his first try at a staying trip. 6 NUCLEAR FORCE was raised only four points last time after winning well over 2600m last time out. 5 CREPUSCOLO ran a close third to promising Marauding Horde over 2000m last time out and now tries 2800m, which is a question mark on pedigree being by New Predator out of Main Aim mare who won three times from 1400m to 1800m.4 NAMAQUA BLOSSOM has been a bit disappointing as a stayer but is usually thereabouts. (3-6-5-4)

RACE 4

8 HONORABLE MEMBER 1 BILINGUAL 3 LIKE A BUTTERFLY 2 VILLA SEMAYA

Preview: 8 HONORABLE MEMBER has always faced good types and never been disgraced. 1 BILINGUAL has a form chance here. 3 LIKE A BUTTERFLY also has a form chance in this uninspiring contest. 2 VILLA SEMAYA is moderate but often earns in races of this nature. (8-1-3-2)

RACE 5

7 ALABAMA ANNA 4 SOLDIER’S EYE 2 ELEGANT ICE 10 LUCY IN THE SKY

Preview: 7 ALABAMA ANNA has a plum draw over a suitable trip and is in fine form. 4 SOLDIER’S EYE has a wide draw but is off a lowered mark and can’t be ignored. 2 ELEGANT ICE tries a step up in trip and on pedigree should enjoy it, with her only previous try over this distance being in a Gr 2 feature. 10 LUCY IN THE SKY is talented and although getting on a bit can still earn over a suitable trip. (7-4-2-10)

RACE 6
2 RICHARD THE FIRST 4 MASTER CHRISTMAS 1 MOUNT PILATUS 3 MK’S DREAMS
Preview: 2 RICHARD THE FIRST has competed with some decent sorts and would not be a surprise winner from a good draw with a 1,5kg claimer up. 4 MASTER CHRISTMAS comes off a cracking run over this trip and now has a better draw, although he does have to contend with a three point raise. 1 MOUNT PILATUS comes off a fine effort over 1160m and from pole position runs over a trip he has done quite well over before.  3 MK’S DREAMS has ability and has the form to be a contender.  (2-4-1-3)

RACE 7

12 EMPRESS GAME 3 MISS HANNIGAN 5 NORTHERN KITTEN 7 ANNEWITHAN E
Preview: 12 EMPRESS GAME ran well last time out and has a good draw over a step up in trip which should suit. 3 MISS HANNIGAN is in good form and has shown good enough form over this trip category. 5 NORTHERN KITTEN won a fair race second time out and will enjoy the step up in trip. 7 ANNEWITHAN E has the ability to earn here. (12-3-5-7)

RACE 8
4 KINSHIN SHA 1 AMBER ROCK 2 DARING ACT 
Preview: 4 KINSHIN SHA has good form over this trip. 1 AMBER ROCK is much vaunted and has been given a six point merit rating drop to 83 so should be a big runner. 2 DARING ACT can be involved if repeating his last start. (4-1-2) 

RACE 9
4 HIS MASTER’S VOICE 1 COPPER JOHN 5 JP TWO THOUSAND 8 GILDA GRAY
Preview: 4 HIS MASTER’S VOICE ran a fair race last time and could be involved off a merit rating three points lower. 1 COPPER JOHN has the ability to be involved in this line up. 5 JP TWO THOUSAND is off a dangerous mark and should be right there. 8 GILDA GRAY is drawn in pole over the distance of her last win. (4-1-5-8 ) 

COMPUTAFORM LINK: az-pgl-dsi-ag-cdn-aztabstorage.4racing.c.../VAAL@2024.04.04.pdf

Nice to see young Lihaba up to ride for the Bronkhorst stable , really like Richard the First race 6. ran to strong fields last 2 and looks the banker on the card 
 

Race 7 Miss Hannigan 
Race 8 Daring Act 
Both should sun well , will try a patent 
Best of luck to all 

Pls note racing today 4/4/24 has been moved from the Vaal main track , to the Vaal Classic Track.

The pen on the main track read between 29 and 30 , while the pen on the Classic Track is 25.

Gallops were done on both tracks , and it was unanimous that the Vaal Classic track  was raceable and the Main Track unraceable due to certain areas.

There is 40% chance of rain throughout the day , but the move gives us the best possible chance to race today.

Voluntary scratchings close at 8:30.

Race times remain as is.

expensive start to the day.

Not sure they will get there but for me Copper John in the last is the best option of a banker.... Lucy in the Sky to go back to back..... 4 way double the play.

Magi wrote:

Not sure they will get there but for me Copper John in the last is the best option of a banker.... Lucy in the Sky to go back to back..... 4 way double the play.

hi Magi just be careful with Lucy - she  hates it wet - 12 runs only one place - trainer on record saying that