PREVIEW:VAAL (TURF) - 31 MAY 2012

Scratchings up to date as at 16h00 Wednesday 30 May 2012.

RACE 1:Workriders Maiden Plate 1700m Bend

TIDY TIGER (Mike De Kock) was favoured at 4/1 last Thursday at the Vaal but ran a shocker. Don't ignore on the basis of the support last time and some fair form prior to that latest effort. IBHOLA has finished second on three occasions this C & D. Runs on this C & D. Chance. HENRY HIGGINS has good form ran on strongly, but all too late last time. Chance if repeating. IMPERCEPTIBLE improved by ten lengths last time. Respect. GLORIOUS LEADER has a chance on best form which is few and far between.

SELECTIONS: 1st - TIDY TIGER * (1); 2nd - IBHOLA (4); 3rd - HENRY HIGGINS (3); 4th - IMPERCEPTIBLE (10); 5th - GLORIOUS LEADER (5)

RACE 2:Maiden Juvenile Plate 1000m Straight

The first timer DE VAR HYT, son of VAR, could be the one to follow. The betting should be a good guide. Piere Strydom rides. VICTORY CALL showed very good improvement in his second start last time. Watch for further improvement. Ran on strongly last time. Keep an eye on the betting on the following first timers: VIRTUOSITY; LAST BATTLE; and ZANZIBAR MAN.
ten lengths last time.
SELECTIONS: 1st - DE VAR HYT * (3); 2nd - VICTORY CALL (11); 3rd - VIRTUOSITY (12); 4th - LAST BATTLE (6); 5th - ZANZIBAR MAN (14)

RACE 3:Maiden Plate 1000m Straight

THROUGH IT ALL improved by over ten lengths last time. Went very fast that day before fading late. Piere Strydom has the ride this afternoon. Could make more progress. SIZZLING GUY has steady form but also lacks finish. Still a maiden after thirty five runs! VANTAGE makes his debut. ENBLAZONED STAR finds quite a few places and should not be ignored. MAGIC OF ROME may have more to find for the win but does find places.

SELECTIONS: 1st - THROUGH IT ALL * (13); 2nd - SIZZLING GUY (7); 3rd - VANTAGE (12); 4th - ENBLAZONED STAR (1); 5th - MAGIC OF ROME (6)

RACE 4:Maiden Plate 2400m Bend

KING SCOTT did not show over shorter last time. Runs well over this type of distance. FORT BENTON was backed in to start at 75/20 last time but did not show. Respect on that and also the extra trip. MISTER CAT CLUB looks as though he is improving again. THE WHO will be staying on. TRUE BLOOD also stayed on last time when showing improvement.

SELECTIONS: 1st - KING SCOTT * (2); 2nd - FORT BENTON (9); 3rd - MISTER CAT CLUB (3); 4th - THE WHO (7); 5th - TRUE BLOOD (4)

RACE 5:Pinnacle Stakes 1200m Straight

EASTERN GREETING takes on stronger but does look to be useful. Could go very close with the 51.5kg she has to carry. Will be running on. THE MOUSEKETEER drops quite a bit in class and has been gelded since her last effort. One to watch. PAELLA loves this C & D but has been lacking finish lately. ACROSS THE ICE has been racing in KZN for the past few months. Is slow away but small chance if running on. WHERE'S MY CHOP has very good form this C & D but is not well weighted. Piere Strydom rides for St John Gray.

SELECTIONS: 1st - EASTERN GREETING * (10); 2nd - THE MOUSEKETEER (1); 3rd - PAELLA (3); 4th - ACROSS THE ICE (2); 5th - WHERE'S MY CHOP (5)

RACE 6:MR 80 Hcp 1800m Bend

CANTERBURY TALE (Mike De Kock/Robbie Fradd) ran a good post maiden last time and looks to be one that could win a few. RIVER LODGE did not show against stronger last time. Has been racing in KZN for a lengthy period. FORT LODGE runs well over the distance. MILLENIUM WIND finished strongly last time after a slow start. HALVE THE DEFICIT (Sean Tarry/Piere Strydom) won his maiden by over five lengths last time. May need to confirm.

SELECTIONS: 1st - CANTERBURY TALE * (7); 2nd - RIVER LODGE (1); 3rd - FORT LODGE (6); 4th - MILLENIUM WIND (3); 5th - HALVE THE DEFICIT (2)

RACE 7:MR 64 Hcp (F & M) 1400m Straight

ROSEY'S SONG runs well this C & D and she did stay on last time. HEADS UP (St John Gray/Piere Strydom) has been running on in her last two starts. Should challenge again this afternoon. ROCK THE SYSTEM improved by just over twenty lengths last time. Inclined to be either slow away or finish weakly. COASTAL CABARET improved in her last start. Chance in this field. SECRET RAVINE is never far back and she is a C & D winner.

SELECTIONS: 1st - ROSEY'S SONG * (5); 2nd - HEADS UP (11) ; 3rd - ROCK THE SYSTEM (1); 4th - COASTAL CABARET (4); 5th - SECRET RAVINE (6)

RACE 8:MR 64 Hcp (F & M) 1400m Straight

STUNNING JET (Michael Azzie/Robbie Fradd) loves this track and usually runs on. Should be the one to beat on current form. SMALL MIRACLE must be respected on a fifteen length improvement last time. CANTE LIBRE was running on last time. Is also improving and could be involved with the finish. SECRET FORT has lost form but she does drop considerably in class. HOLDEN has improved considerably in her last two starts.

SELECTIONS: 1st - STUNNING JET * (3); 2nd - SMALL MIRACLE (6); 3rd - CANTE LIBRE (5); 4th - SECRET FORT (2); 5th - HOLDEN (7)

RACE 9:Maiden Plate (F & M) 1700m Bend

FLIGHT SPECIALIST has run well in her last two starts. On both occasions she has been running on and should go very close in this field. LUCKY GAMBLER ran her best race in four last time when running on very strongly. Has to have a chance on that effort. RED OAK runs for the twenty fifth time but her last two starts also suggests that she should be there at the finish. ANGIES FANCY has shown some form in her two runs thus far. Is not out of it. TRIANDRA (Alec Laird) has steady form. First run in four months and may just need the outing.

SELECTIONS: 1st - FLIGHT SPECIALIST * (4); 2nd - LUCKY GAMBLER (5); 3rd - RED OAK (8); 4th - ANGIES FANCY (14); 5th - TRIANDRA (3)


BEST BET:                    RACE 8 - NUMBER 3 STUNNING JET (16/10)

VALUE BET:                RACE 9 - NUMBER 5 LUCKY GAMBLER (10/1)

BEST OUTSIDER:      RACE 6 - NUMBER 1 RIVER LODGE (14/1)

PLACE ACCUMULATOR: RACES 3 - 9