Re:Vaal Thursday 1 October

The Vaal Classic track stages Thursday`s local races, a nine race card with an 11:40am start time.

UNDERWAY AT

Race 1 - 11:40
Race 2 - 12:10
Race 3 - 12:40
Race 4 - 13:10
Race 5 - 13:50
Race 6 - 14:30
Race 7 - 15:05
Race 8 - 15:40
Race 9 - 16:20

TRACK INFO

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 to 3.5m on the bend with a 4.5m 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 5 WINTER SMOKE 12/10*

VALUE BET – Race 9 ANCIENT ROME 10/1*

*Odds correct at time of posting

VAAL CLASSIC THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER FORMGUIDES AND PERMUTATIONS
-David Thiselton

R1

Preview: FORWARD MARCH (6) will enjoy the step back to this trip and looks the one to beat. LOVE OF LONDON (5) made a fair debut and can improve. POCKETFULLOFSTARS (10) is by Mogok and is a half-brother to champion sprinter Talktothestars. ARABELLA QUEEN (2) beat Forward March over this trip when they last met but her regular breathing issue saw her finish downfield last time so she can't be relied on. MAPLE SUGAR (9) is a R240,000 filly by Ideal World and is a half-sister to the fair sort Skiminac and a full-sister to another fair sort in Lady Amherst. (David Thiselton 6-5-10-2-9)

R2

Preview: FLYING CARPET (10) has a lot of scope and can improve on his running on fourth place on Saturday. ONE WAY OR ANOTHER (12) is by Vercingetorix out of a twice-winning Jet Master mare who is a half sister to a Grade 1 winner by Jallad. BIG SPLASH (9) is by Potala Palace and is a half-brother to Graded-winning sprinter Neptune's Rain. FORBE'S QUARRY (2) improved to run second last time but it was an uninspiring field. MILITARY GUEST (11) could still improve and can earn. (David Thiselton 10-12-9-2-11)

R3

Preview: LAETITIA'S ANGEL (5) ran well in her penultimate start over this trip and the form has worked out well. THE FIFTH WAVE (1) has not been at all disgraced in her last two starts over this trip against two useful sorts. SOUL OF WIT (6) also ran well the last time she went over this trip and is now two points lower in the merit ratings. (David Thiselton 5-1-6)

R4

Preview: BRIDGE OF SPIES (4) went close when stepped down to this trip last time and looks the one to beat. TOUCH OF FATE (5) is quick and will enjoy the step back down in trip. MR HUGO (7) is in good form and can overcome a three point raise for his last win. REBEL RENEGADE (11) has fallen to a competitive merit rating. MARENGO (1) is quick so is ideally distance suited but does have to carry topweight which won't be easy for a three-year-old. (David Thiselton 4-5-7-11-1)

R5

Preview: WINTER SMOKE (3) has fine gate speed and natural pace and will not be easy to catch over the minimum trip. SPANISH BOY (7) has ben revelation with blinkers on and can make his presence felt again despite being given an eight point raise for his last start. RING OF FIRE (6) won well on Saturday and it would be no surprise if he follows up. (David Thiselton 3-7-6)

R6

Preview: DANCE CLASS (2) is proving to be classy and has another opportunity for a cosy win as she is once again well weighted over a trip which suits her down to the ground. GOLD GRIFFIN (3) is well drawn and comes off a fine run over 2600m so should make his presence felt for a top yard who are coming back to form. ODD ROB (1) is kg better off with Dance Class for a 1,25 length beating which puts them together on paper but the latter won cosily that day and should confirm the positions. (David Thiselton 2-3-1)

R7

Preview: ICE LORD (3) is capable of better than last time and looks the one to beat for a yard who should now start hitting form. WILL O' THE WISP (5) is drawn well over an ideal trip and with a two point drop looks to be competitively merit rated. ETCHED IN BLUE (1) held on from the front last time and the four point raise he received is alleviated by the 2,5kg claim of Cole Dicken. (David Thiselton 3-5-1)

R8

Preview: LORD MELBOURNE ( is a progressive son of Duke Of Marmalade who sneaks into the handicap and has a 2,5kg claimer up which makes him 7kg better off with African Adventure for a 1,30 length beating over 2000m in July. NAFOORAH (7) is 1kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings but did run above his rating last time over 1450m and should stay the trip being by Soft Falling Rain out of a Commands half-sister to Soqrat. HEART STWINGS (1) has been knocking on the door and has a good draw with a 4kg claimer up over an ideal trip but it is always tough against the boys. (David Thiselton 8-7-1)

R9

Preview: WESTERN DANCE (14) was raised four points for her narrow win last time over 2000m but that is alleviated by the conditions of this Classified Stakes race which gives the females a weight allowance of 3,5kg. SUN GIANT (12) has run two fair races out of the maidens and being by Ashaawes, who won two races over a mile and two furlongs, out of a Lizard Island mare who won up to 1600m he has a chance of seeing out this 1800m trip. IN FOR A PENNY (5) ran a good second last time when setting the pace but as he ran under sufferance and was also carrying 1kg overweight he was given a seven point merit rated raise so will have to confirm the performance from a good draw. PUCKER UP (13) is 1kg better off with Western Dance for a head beating but she does now have a tough draw. CHEVRON (2) was slow away last time and is only half-a-kilogram better off with In For A Penny for a four length beating, but if repeating his penultimate run he could be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 14-12-5-13-2)

Bipot
Leg 1: 6,5,10
Leg 2: 10,12,9
Leg 3: 5,1,6
Leg 4: 4,5,7
Leg 5: 3,7,6
Leg 6: 2

Place Accumulator: (R243)
Leg 1: 5
Leg 2: 4,5,7
Leg 3: 3,7,6
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 3,5,1
Leg 6: 8,7,1
Leg 7: 14,12,5

Pick 6: (R675)
Leg 1: 4,5,7,11,1
Leg 2: 3,7,6
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 3,5,1
Leg 5: 8,7,1
Leg 6: 14,12,5,13,2

Jackpot: (R27)
Leg 1: 3,7,6
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 3,5,1
Leg 4: 8,7,1

Best Bet:
Race 6: 2

Value Bet:
Race 8: 8

Dance Class going for 7. gray done a great job placing the horse.
Nafoorah must be getting aimed at bigger things
Tarry yard seems to be have turned the corner

Not sure if we had any rain but the track will be checked this morning.

R 4 6 - On A High Note
R 5 1 - Captain Hindsight

All the best to all Clanners for today...stay safe and healthy...

My short priced double
Winter smoke
Dance class.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

Passed the inspection

Good news👍

Ive been sent pics of the Vaal track,I would not want my horses to run on that turf ,big divots,Id be surprised if there isn't a further protest after a few races have been run.

Hopefully we can get through the day without any major mishaps ito injury to both equine and human; in race 1 for me if Maple Sugar can win this, she will be one to follow - first timer form a wide draw - odds very cramped imo; I put a few places on Apple Drop; not much between her and Love of London on a line through Ashanti - and AD is trading at 10x the odds of LoL :huh:

Race 1 - Time Has Come place.

Amazing odds discrepancy in the first; Apple Drop on the Tote a lot shorter than the Fixed Odds - was that co-mingling coming into play - or has the mystery punter been up to his trick again?

Race 2 - very open; One Way or Another finding support ; does seem a moderate lot, so may well feature; Forbes Quarry comes out a weak form line, but has the draw and should at least place