PREVIEW:VAAL (TURF) - 29 JANUARY 2012

Scratchings up to date as at 08h00 Sunday 29 January 2012.

To check for the latest scratchings go to www.sahorseracing.co.za and then click on "public" Find the race meeting and then press the number "1". Finally find "Card Changes" and then click on that.

RACE 1:Maiden Juvenile Plate 1000m Straight

Of those that have run ALPHA ONE could be the one to follow. Not that he ran that well on debut but he started as 1/1 favourite that day and on that should be the one to follow. JOHNNIE QUID made a moderate debut finishing third but almost ten lengths back! The following first timers could be worth considering: ZAGANOS; ZATOPEK EXPRESS; and KINGDOM'S QUEEN. The betting should be the best guide.

SELECTIONS: 1st - ALPHA ONE * (1); 2nd - JOHNNIE QUID (3); 3rd - ZAGANOS (9); 4th - ZATOPEK EXPRESS (10); 5th - KINGDOM'S KEY (4)

RACE 2:Maiden Plate 1200m Straight

NUT FLUSH looked to be the winner last time but was just pipped on the post late. Should have a very good chance this time around with Piere Strydom aboard. Best runs have been over 1000m though. KING'S SILVER made a fair debut over 1000m last time. Could improve. BOLD MISSION prefers the turf and has shown good progress since moving away from the sand track. CELTIC KING tends to fade but may improve. EXCEPTIONAL DREAMS (Sean Tarry/Robbie Fradd) makes his debut. Watch the betting.

SELECTIONS: 1st - NUT FLUSH * (1); 2nd - KING'S SILVER (11); 3rd - BOLD MISSION (6); 4th - CELTIC KING (2); 5th - EXCEPTIONAL DREAMS (7)

RACE 3:Maiden Plate (F & M) 1200m Straight

LUXURIOUS JET has been improving but could prefer today's distance. Piere Strydom rides. CARIBBEAN DREAM (Sean Tarry/Robbie Fradd) makes her debut. Watch the betting. TIBOUCHINA is a well bred first timer. The betting could be your best guide. WOODLAND FIRE may improve on some moderate form. TOTEM has been showing some improvement in her last two starts.

SELECTIONS: 1st - LUXURIOUS JET * (1); 2nd - CARIBBEAN DREAM (6); 3rd - TIBOUCHINA (11); 4th - WOODLAND FIRE (2); 5th - TOTEM (12)

RACE 4:Maiden Plate (F & M) 1200m Straight

Not an easy race with which to begin this afternoon's Pick Six. VIRGIN QUEEN improved by over eight lengths when having her best run to date. Not a confident selection but she could be worth following. The first timer, DEMANDING LADY is a daughter of Dynasty and that could giver her something of a chance. Check the betting. WISPER THE WIND improved by nine lengths last time. Respect. GINNUNGAGAP has had two fair runs. may improve. Watch the betting on the first timer, SOUTHERN BELLE.

SELECTIONS: 1st - VIRGIN QUEEN * (3); 2nd - DEMANDING LADY (5); 3rd - WISPER THE WIND (14); 4th - GINNUNGAGAP (6); 5th - SOUTHERN BELLE (10)

RACE 5:Maiden Plate (F & M) 2000m Bend

ALESSANDRIA has finished close up seconds in all three starts to date. Will prefer the extra and has been running on. Very good chance. EUTERPE (Sean Tarry/Robbie Fradd) also has good maiden form. Usually runs on but last time she faded. TRIANDRA has fair form and the extra will also suit. FLIGHT SPECIALIST is battling for that maiden win but should start improving soon. LADY CLEOPATRA has excuses for her below par run last time. She was not well. Fair form before that. Can place.

SELECTIONS: 1st - ALESSANDRIA * (6); 2nd - EUTERPE (7); 3rd - TRIANDRA (1); 4th - FLIGHT SPECIALIST (3); 5th - LADY CLEOPATRA (2)

RACE 6:MR 80 Hcp 1700m Bend

GOLDEN CHATEAU (Mike De Kock/Weiho Marwing) ran well in the Grade 2 Dingaans last time at Turffontein. Wore blinkers that day but they have been removed for today's race. Very good chance on that run and also on previous form. ANKA MAN has won his last two including his maiden win this C & D. Will be doing his best work late. GLORIOUS JET won his maiden by over five lengths last time. Appears to be useful but this will be much harder. GHOST DOG has improved with the blinkers and must not be ignored. CAUSEWAY improved by over seventeen lengths last time. The Geoff Woodruff yard is also improving nicely.

SELECTIONS: 1st - GOLDEN CHATEAU * (1); 2nd - ANKA MAN (6); 3rd - GLORIOUS JET (7); 4th - GHOST DOG (10); 5th - CAUSEWAY (5)

RACE 7:Novice Plate 1400m Straight

WHITELINE FEVER (Sean Tarry/Robbie Fradd) ran a great second in the Grade 2 Dingaans last time when running on to finish second, two and a half lengths behind Silver Flyer. He looks hard to oppose in this field. AL FELON has very good form but this is his forty sixth run and has only won once. Has run second on the last three occasions. AMATOL has steady form but is also battling for his second win. FINVARRA is consistent and could improve. GOLDEN CREST (Geoff Woodruff) won his maiden at the second attempt last time. Stable in form and this son of Silvano ran on to win by over four lengths.

SELECTIONS: 1st - WHITELINE FEVER ** (5); 2nd - GOLDEN CREST (6); 3rd - AL FELON (2); 4th - AMATOL (1); 5th - FINVARRA (4)

RACE 8:Graduation Plate 1000m Straight

CARLITO BRIGANTE is improving again. Has won two from three starts in wet conditions. Chance again and with Piere Strydom aboard. SECOND TYCOON (Mike De Kock/Weiho Marwing) ran on to share over 1000m at Clairwood in July. may need the run. Consider. NINE TAIL CAT is improving nicely and stayed on well last time. ADMIRALS CUP and SCARLET SHEILA could both improve to fill minor placings.

SELECTIONS: 1st - CARLITO BRIGANTE * (2); 2nd - SECOND TYCOON (1); 3rd - NINE TAIL CAT (5); 4th - ADMIRALS CUP (6); 5th - SCARLET SHEILA (9)

RACE 9:MR 72 Hcp 1200m Straight

WILD COUNT showed very good improvement last time when running on for second. Could be returning to better earlier form. WHERE'S MY CHOP has consistent form and should be running on at the end.  ESCAPE CLAUSE was his maiden at the third attempt by four and a half lengths last time. Chance if not needing to confirm. ASSIGN THE ASSASIN did not show on sand last time. Consider back on grass. MIDNIGHT CHARGER may be improving again.

SELECTIONS: 1st - WILD COUNT * (5); 2nd - WHERE'S MY CHOP (10); 3rd - ESCAPE CLAUSE (1); 4th - ASSIGN THE ASSASIN (13); 5th - MIDNIGHT CHARGER (8)

BEST BET:        RACE 7 - NUMBER 5 WHITELINE FEVER

VALUE BET:    RACE 4 - NUMBER 3 THE VIRGIN QUEEN

PLACE ACCUMULATOR: RACES 3 - 9

PICK SIX: RACES 4 - 9 (Couplings taken into account)

JACKPOT: RACES 5 - 8 (Couplings have NOT been taken into account)