PREVIEW:VAAL (SAND) - 31 JANUARY 2012

Scratchings up to date as at 18h00 Monday 30 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 Plate 1000m Straight

VICTORIOUS KING has shown recent improvement since racing in Gauteng. Chance if handling the sand surface. MARIUS disappointed last time. Claims on previous form. IN THE SPOTLIGHT may be better on turf but is one that may improve. PALACE TOWN and PASCUA make their debuts. Watch for any betting moves.

SELECTIONS: 1st - VICTORIOUS KING * (7); 2nd - MARIUS (4); 3rd - IN THE SPOTLIGHT (14); 4th - PALACE TOWN (15); 5th - PASCUA (16)

RACE 2:Maiden Plate 1450m Bend

MILDFORD has been expensive to follow but he has run some of his best races on sand. This is his twentieth run as a maiden! ROAD WARRIOR has shown improvement in his last two starts. Consider on that improvement. FORT WILLIAM may be coming back in to form. SILLY MID-ON did not show last time. Consider on debut run two runs back. EGOLI GAS has had his chances. Could place at best.

SELECTIONS: 1st - MILDFORD * (1); 2nd - ROAD WARRIOR (13); 3rd - FORT WILLIAM (7); 4th - SILLY MID-ON (14); 5th - EGOLI GAS (2)

RACE 3:Maiden Plate (F & M) 1600m Bend

WALTZING DUEL has been running very well on sand and his last three improved runs have all been at this track. Must go close. BIASCA has yet to race on sand but consider on yard's recent improved form. PERFECT WINTER stayed on well over the distance on turf last time. Did not show on only start on sand way back in August but then her form was poor then. ASIATIC PEARL showed improvement in her second start last time. May improve on sand. FALLAL fades late but could be ready to improve.

SELECTIONS: 1st - WALTZING DUEL * (2); 2nd - BIASCA (1); 3rd - PERFECT WINTER (9); 4th - ASIATIC PEARL (11); 5th - FALLAL (3)

RACE 4:Conditions Plate (F & M) 1600m Bend

FOLLOW THE PIPER is unbeaten on sand (4 from 4). Has won this distance before but on turf. Form is very good and should be the one to beat. MEXICAN GLORY has run her best races at this track. Has yet to race over this distance but should see it out. RUNNING RIVULET runs well on sand. Chance with 52kg on her back. QUEEN MIRA has raced against stronger but has better form on the turf. XILOMANTE has a fair chance on her form this C & D.

SELECTIONS: 1st - FOLLOW THE PIPER ** (1); 2nd - MEXICAN GLORY (13); 3rd - RUNNING RIVULET (10); 4th - QUEEN MIRA (6); 5th - XILOMANTE (3)

RACE 5:Lightning Stakes (MR) (R125 000) 1000m Straight

WINTER'S SONG has a chance on an improved latest start when running on this C & D. Has excellent form this C & D and could win again. MANNEQUIN also has the form to mount a serious challenge this C & D. Could go close. MR TOP has not won in ages and must have a chance on earlier form. VETO held on to win over further last time. Claims on that start. BOSS CAT improved by eighteen lengths last time. Place chance. Respect.

SELECTIONS: 1st - WINTER'S SONG * (3); 2nd - MANNEQUIN (2); 3rd - MR TOP (5); 4th - VETO (8); 5th - BOSS CAT (11)

RACE 6:Summer Speedsters (R125 000) 1000m Straight

HIDDEN BEAUTY won very easily by over three lengths this C & D last time. Has raced against far stronger and on two consecutive occasions was not too far behind Princess Victoria. Could be difficult to oppose. RAISE THE BAR will have to go some to over turn the almost four length beating by HIDDEN BEAUTY. They both carry 2kg more. BLINGLE BELLS must have a small chance on her excellent form this C & D. IBROX PARK has it all to do but may place along with LAUREL CANYON.

SELECTIONS: 1st - HIDDEN BEAUTY ** (2); 2nd - RAISE THE BAR (1); 3rd - BLINGLE BELLS (4); 4th - IBROX PARK (3); 5th - LAUREL CANYON (5)

RACE 7:MR 94 Hcp  1600m Bend

MR TOBIN is unbeaten on sand after two runs at this track and has also won this C & D. Runs on well on sand and could make it a hat trick of wins at this track. Stable companion, INCOMODO must have a claim on some good earlier form this C & D. MASAI WARRIOR has won his last two runs on turf. Has run well this track. Consider. CALANISH finishes well at this track. KING'S DESTINY is never far back but has something to find to win.

SELECTIONS: 1st - MR TOBIN * (2); 2nd - INCOMODO (1); 3rd - MASAI WARRIOR (4); 4th - CALANISH (3); 5th - KING'S DESTINY (5)

RACE 8:MR 75 Hcp 1600m Bend

BLUE CONCORDE is in good form and he ran on to win over 1800m last time. Can repeat as he has won this C & D before as well. CANUTE THE GREAT has also been showing good form of late and has been running on in his last two. ZEBULON did not show last time. Claims on earlier form. NEW YORK won his maiden last time when running on. May need to confirm. SONIC GANG has lost form but can place on best recent form.

SELECTIONS: 1st - BLUE CONCORDE * (2); 2nd - CANUTE THE GREAT (8); 3rd - ZEBULON (4); 4th - NEW YORK (6); 5th - SONIC GANG (1)

BEST BET:        RACE 6 - NUMBER 2 HIDDEN BEAUTY

VALUE BET:    RACE 2 - NUMBER 1 MILDFORD

PLACE ACCUMULATOR: RACES 2 - 8