PREVIEW:VAAL (TURF) - 19 JULY 2012

Scratchings up to date as at 19h30 Tuesday 17 July 2012.

RACE 1:Maiden Juvenile Plate (F) 1000m Straight

Not an easy start to the day's racing. Of those that have run FAVOURITE DAUGHTER has fared the best and has placed twice this C & D. Chance if running on. A couple of first timers could be worth some interest. watch the betting on MADAM ARABIA, WALK THE TALK and JEAN'S DANCER. One that could improve is SPANISHLILY.

SELECTIONS: 1st - FAVOURITE DAUGHTER * (2); 2nd - MADAM ARABIA (7); 3rd - WALK THE TALK (9); 4th - JEAN'S DANCER (5); 5th - SPANISHLILY (8)

RACE 2:Maiden Juvenile Plate (F) 1000m Straight

OUR DIVA finished fourth last time, only 3.75 lengths back in a vastly improved run. Has improved many lengths in his last two starts and should go close in this field. SLICED SMARTLY showed an eleven length improvement last time. Set a fast pace before tiring late last time. Could go close on that run. WISTERIA WAY could improve on two moderate runs thus far. A number of first timers that one could consider are NEGEV, EXTRA ZING and ZACCONIA.

SELECTIONS: 1st - OUR DIVA * (8); 2nd - SLICED SMARTLY (10); 3rd - WISTERIA WAY (12); 4th - NEGEV (7); 5th - EXTRA ZING (2)

RACE 3:Maiden Juvenile Plate 1000m Straight

MBOWENI finished well when just failing to catch DE VAR HYT by a narrow margin over this C & D last time. Looks to be the one to beat. Immediate challenge should come from OPHIRTON who made a good debut this C & D last time. Finished fourth that day, just over a length back. On that run should go close. EAGLE FACE has had two good runs this far. Ran well this C & D last time. I like the look of the first timer, NEO JET. AUTHENTICATED showed some improvement last time. May place.

SELECTIONS: 1st - MBOWENI * (7); 2nd - OPHIRTON (9); 3rd - EAGLE FACE (3); 4th - NEO JET (8); 5th - AUTHENTICATED (1)

RACE 4:Maiden Plate (F & M) 1400m Straight

DANASHEE has had two good latest runs. The blinkers go on. Watch for further improvement. MATILDA'S LOVE has placed second this C & D but is a bit inconsistent. Ran on for second this C & D two runs back. Could be the one to follow. Both LUCKY GAMBLER and PARTYGOER could have improved enough to suggest that they may go close. BREATHLESS ran her best race last time and must also be respected.

SELECTIONS: 1st - DANASHEE * (2); 2nd - MATILDA'S LOVE (1); 3rd - LUCKY GAMBLER (4); 4th - PARTYGOER (3); 5th - BREATHLESS (11)

RACE 5:MR 90 Hcp 1400m Straight

GLORIOUS JET takes a drop in class and appears to be well weighted in this event. Both wins have been at this track. WHERE'S MY CHOP ran on strongly to beat NAPOLEON DYNAMITE by a neck last time. That was over shorter. Has won over 1400m and has won five times at this track. GREAT SMOKEY is unbeaten this C & D (2 from 2) but this will be way tougher. GLITTER STAR won over this C & D with ease last time. Again this will be much tougher. STAR DANCE may be improving again.

SELECTIONS: 1st - GLORIOUS JET * (5); 2nd - WHERE'S MY CHOP (2); 3rd - GREAT SMOKEY (15); 4th - GLITTER STAR (7); 5th - STAR DANCE (6)

RACE 6:MR 75 Hcp 1400m Straight

WAR FRONT will be running on. He is C & D suited. ACRISIUS has won both his wins this C & D but has been fading late. The two-year-old DONNIE BRASCO has won two from three. His only defeat was in the SA Nursery. Chance in this field. WESTERN WAY has won only once in fifteen starts but his post maiden runs have been very good. BUGLE CALL will be running on and is a danger.

SELECTIONS: 1st - WAR FRONT * (2); 2nd - ACRISIUS (7); 3rd - DONNIE BRASCO (10); 4th - WESTERN WAY (8); 5th - BUGLE CALL (9)

RACE 7:MR 63 Hcp 1400m Straight

SAINT JOHN BOSCO is inconsistent but could improve with Anthony Delpech aboard. CHEDWIN PARK drops in class but also respect on a twenty length improvement last time. THUNDERBALL also has the form to win this MR 63 handicap!!! CELTIC KING is also on the improvement band. MARVELLOUS CAPTAIN should improve with Piere Strydom aboard.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SAINT JOHN BOSCO * (6); 2nd - CHEDWIN PARK (1); 3rd - THUNDERBALL (9); 4th - CELTIC KING (5); 5th - MARVELLOUS CAPTAIN (12)

RACE 8:MR 72 Hcp 1200m Straight

SPORTS HERO looks to be slightly above average and he ran a good post maiden last time in a similar field. COMISSION DUE is holding form but has excellent form this C & D with the following form line from his eleven starts this C & D (3-3-3). Be right there again. MEMEZA has improved in his last two starts, both this C & D but tends to fade. LET'S ROCK BABA has also improved in his last two but will have to repeat his penultimate start. JOLLY GOOD SIR takes on stronger but has the form to make some impact.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SPORTS HERO * (4); 2nd - COMISSION DUE (1); 3rd - MEMEZA (11); 4th - LET'S ROCK BABA (3); 5th - JOLLY GOOD SIR (14)

RACE 9:Maiden Plate 1400m Straight

On current form SENATOR looks hard to beat. he is well suited to this C & D. Was running on last time. Biggest danger could be GAZ MAN who is improving again and has shown good place form this C & D. ran on really strongly last time. watch the betting on the first timer, ACEINTHEHOLE, which could be appropriate with the British Open getting under way today. SHADOW MODE is better that his last two starts. INDIAN GIANT will need to find his best form, which is moderate, to say the least.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SENATOR * (4); 2nd - GAZ MAN (5); 3rd - ACEINTHEHOLE (11); 4th - SHADOW MODE (1); 5th - INDIAN GIANT (6)

BEST BET:                    RACE 1 - NUMBER 2 FAVOURITE DAUGHTER (14/10)

VALUE BET:                RACE 2 - NUMBER 8 OUR DIVA (7/1)

BEST OUTSIDER:      RACE 9 - NUMBER 5 GAZ MAN (83/10)

PLACE ACCUMULATOR: RACES 3 - 9