PREVIEW:VAAL (TURF)  - 7 FEBRUARY 2012

Scratchings up to date as at 17h30 Monday 6 February 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:Workriders Maiden Plate (F & M) 1400m Straight

FOUNTAIN OF EDEN improved by fifteen lengths last time in her second start. Respect with Jackson Feni aboard. MIRAVAR is battling for that maiden win and is C & D suited. CARIBBEAN CRUISE is never far back but may have more to do for the win. SUDOKU has lost a bit of her form. Chance if at best. DYNASTY ROSE improved by fifteen lengths last time. Respect.

SELECTIONS: 1st - FOUNTAIN OF EDEN * (8); 2nd - MIRAVAR (2); 3rd - CARIBBEAN CRUISE (3); 4th - SUDOKU (1); 5th - DYNASTY ROSE (4)

RACE 2:Maiden Juvenile Plate 1200m Straight

Only three of the sixteen juveniles have run. Those who have run look totally moderate and could battle to even run places. Consider the first timers and the betting could be one's best guide.

SELECTIONS: 1st - IN EIGHTY DAYS * (6); 2nd - THE HANGMAN (13); 3rd - ARCTIC SUN (1); 4th - NEVADO (8); 5th - WAR HORSE (14)

RACE 3:Maiden Juvenile Plate (F) 1200m Straight

Only two of the thirteen horses in this race have run. RUN GIRL WILD made a nice debut last time and that experience of having finished second should make a difference. Piere Strydom rides for Joe Soma. The balance with chances must be the first timers and once again the betting should be your best guide.

SELECTIONS: 1st - RUN GIRL WILD * (10); 2nd - FORTUNY (6); 3rd - COCHINEAL (2); 4th - FIVE RINGS (5); 5th - TRUE IMPERIUM (13)

RACE 4:Maiden Plate 1400m Straight

REBEL HEART has very good maiden form and he has been improving with each run. In four starts he has finished third on three occasions and second once. Good chance. WESTERN WAY is never far back and will be running on late. Should make a stout challenge. VIRGIL CANE should not be out of it in this field. Has placed third in his only start this C & D. SILLY MID-ON has run two shockers in his last two. Could improve back at this track where he made a good debut three runs back. Piere Strydom rides again. Watch the betting on the first timer, RED FORT.

SELECTIONS: 1st - REBEL HEART * (1); 2nd - WESTERN WAY (2); 3rd - VIRGIL CANE (3); 4th - SILLY MID-ON (14); 5th - RED FORT (13)

RACE 5:Conditions Plate 1400m Straight

The classy KAVANAGH, from the Mike De Kock yard should the the best bet on today's card. Has won three from four starts over the distance. Has faced far stronger in Grade One contests. held on to win comfortably last time over similar. SNOWDON has won this C & D. Stable is coming in to form and Piere Strydom has the ride. REBEL KNIGHT disappointed last time. Claims on previous form. STRAW MARKET is improving and shows promise but this one is tougher. ZORBA'S TALE is badly off form but has faced stronger and there are only seven horses that line up. Place chance if finding best form.

SELECTIONS: 1st - KAVANAGH * (4); 2nd - SNOWDON (5); 3rd -  REBEL KNIGHT (3); 4th - STRAW MARKET (7); 5th - ZORBA'S TALE (1)

RACE 6:MR 76 Hcp (F & M) 2000m Bend

This race could cause an exotic nightmare and upset. BIBBETY BOBBETY has good form over shorter. This distance could suit even more. TURKISH DELIGHT is never too far back and she did have excuses last time when the rider dropped his whip at a crucial stage of the race. HIMALAYAN HILL held on to win over shorter last time. Has yet to place in four starts this distance. SACRED TEMPLE  was strongly backed with Piere Strydom up last time. He rides again this afternoon. DOUBLE DATE has steady form but has only won once in thirty one starts!

SELECTIONS: 1st - BIBBETY BOBBETY * (10); 2nd - TURKISH DELIGHT (4); 3rd - HIMALAYAN HILL (1); 4th - SACRED TEMPLE (9); 5th - DOUBLE DATE (11)

RACE 7:MR 100 Hcp 1200m Straight

JOLLY POPPINS has improved in her last three starts and is well suited to this C & D. Piere Strydom rides again. BULLARD has won his last three starts, two of them his post maiden runs. Is rapidly moving through the ranks and takes on stronger this afternoon. Good chance. WINKING JACK has steady form and has raced against stronger. KINGS ENTOURAGE is holding form very well. Good chance as well. LEGISLATURE is C & D suited but needs to find more late.

SELECTIONS: 1st - JOLLY POPPINS * (7); 2nd - BULLARD (8); 3rd - WINKING JACK (1); 4th - KINGS ENTOURAGE (4); 5th - LEGISLATURE (6)

RACE 8:MR 82 Hcp 1200m Straight

EDICT will be running on. Has excellent form this C & D. OH DRISCOLL is coming back in to form and he was running on last time. BERMUDA WINTER tends to fade late but could be an earner. CAPTIVE ACTION g=has shown good improvement since running on late. UP AND RUNNING can fill a placing with an apprentice claim of 2.5kg.

SELECTIONS: 1st - EDICT * (1); 2nd - OH DRISCOLL (3); 3rd - BERMUDA WINTER (2); 4th - CAPTIVE ACTION (6); 5th - UP AND RUNNING (7)

BEST BET:        RACE 5 - NUMBER 4 KAVANAGH

VALUE BET:    RACE 6 - NUMBER 10 BIBBETY BOBBETY

PLACE ACCUMULATOR: RACES 2 - 8