PREVIEW:VAAL (TURF) - 21 FEBRUARY 2012

Scratchings up to date as at 17h00 Monday 20 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.

Not a meeting on which to have a bet! Stay clear. Keep your money for a slightly better Greyville meeting in the evening!

RACE 1:Maiden Qualified Hcp (F & M) 1200m Straight

CARIBBEAN CRUISE has steady form and very little else. THE VIRGIN QUEEN has placed this C & D and done very little else. HYPNOTIC ran an improved race last time and has good form this C & D. Stable and jockey have weak form. DYNASTY ROSE improved by nine lengths last time. THATCHER has improved in her last two starts.

SELECTIONS: 1st - CARIBBEAN CRUISE * (4); 2nd - THE VIRGIN QUEEN (6); 3rd - HYPNOTIC (1); 4th - DYNASTY ROSE (2); 5th - THATCHER (3)

RACE 2:Maiden Qualified Hcp 1600m Straight

RANGLER has steady form but lacks finish. Not a confident choice. THE GREAT CARUSO has improved in his last two starts. Stayed on last time. Chance. RUM AND RAISIN did not show in a work riders race last time. Chance on earlier form. ACCRINGTON STANLEY improved by twenty four lengths last time. Respect. SHEIKITUP improved by thirteen lengths last time when staying on. Is slow away.

SELECTIONS: 1st - RANGLER * (2); 2nd - THE GREAT CARUSO (4); 3rd - RUM AND RAISIN (3); 4th - ACCRINGTON STANLEY (11); 5th - SHEIKITUP (6)

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

MER DE MIESQUE stayed on when finishing a close up fourth over 1400m last time. FIRSTTOFLY stayed on last time when showing improvement over 1400m. Improved by eight lengths that day. LIFE'S OCEAN is not consistent but has placed this C & D. BIASCA may be losing form but can place. BADGER GAME has shown very little in eight runs, but then none of the others have either!

SELECTIONS: 1st - MER DE MIESQUE * (2); 2nd - FIRSTTOFLY (14); 3rd - LIFE'S OCEAN (5); 4th - BIASCA (3); 5th - BADGER GAME (7)

RACE 4:MR 62 Hcp (F & M) 1600m Straight

THEMBI has improved in her last two starts. May be worth following. HOCKUS must have claims on her last start. PRISMATIC FIRE ran on to win this C & D last time. Chance to repeat. GOLDEN HANDSHAKE usually stays on and must have a chance. IMOGEN did not show over 1700m at this track last time. Runs well this C & D. Unreliable.

SELECTIONS: 1st - THEMBI * (1); 2nd - HOCKUS (7); 3rd - PRISMATIC FIRE (4); 4th - GOLDEN HANDSHAKE (11); 5th - IMOGEN (8)

RACE 5:MR 66 Hcp 1400m Straight

FINVARRA is never far back and did stay on last time. C & D suited. GREY POET is also not far back and also stayed on nicely last time on sand. RETURNEE has good form and won last time when wearing blinkers for the first time. They are on again this afternoon. MAKE SPACE is never far back but fades late. BUNNYBELL could be improving. Has faced stronger.

SELECTIONS: 1st - FINVARRA * (10); 2nd - GREY POET (5); 3rd - RETURNEE (8); 4th - MAKE SPACE (12); 5th - BUNNYBELL (1)

RACE 6:MR 62 Hcp (F & M) 1400m Straight

MINWA has claims on decent form this C & D. SMANYO was running on over 1700m  at this track last time. May prefer further. NICOLA'S DREAM has only fair post maiden form. Took twenty eight runs to win her maiden three runs back. AS TIME GOES ON will have to repeat her penultimate run. BE SPEEDY improved by twelve lengths last time. Respect.

SELECTIONS: 1st - MINWA * (2); 2nd - SMANYO (6); 3rd - NICOLA'S DREAM (1); 4th - AS TIME GOES ON (4); 5th - BE SPEEDY (7)

RACE 7:MR 65 Hcp 1400m Straight

AL FELON has won only once in forty six starts but current form looks decent enough. Not my best ever best bet of the day, but then one of the worst cards in many a long day! PIMP MY RIDE did not show over further last time. May prefer the 1400m. WINGS OF AN ANGEL drops in class. Chance on that. CHOP SUEY has fair form and won at this track two runs back, but over 1600m. May prefer further. MO' PEPPER improved by over fourteen lengths last time. Respect.

SELECTIONS: 1st - AL FELON ** (6); 2nd - PIMP MY RIDE (9); 3rd - WINGS OF AN ANGEL (4); 4th - CHOP SUEY (11); 5th - MO' PEPPER (12)

RACE 8:MR 62 Hcp (F & M) 1000m Straight

FLYING WENDY has good form and has a good chance if running on again. HOLDEN has faced stronger and must have claims on that. CWEBE CWEBE has improved in her last two. Chance on that. Stable and jockey need form return. CLUB CAPTAIN could be coming to hand. VICTRIXIT is showing some signs of improvement. Lacks finish.

SELECTIONS: 1st - FLYING WENDY * (4); 2nd - HOLDEN (1); 3rd - CWEBE CWEBE (8); 4th - CLUB CAPTAIN (5); 5th - VICTRIXIT (3)

RACE 9:MR 66 Hcp 1000m Straight

COURT DRESS has moderate post maiden form after winning on debut three runs back. Still has a chance. GATES OF FORTUNE is currently holding form well. Has a shout in this field. NATIONS SPIRIT could be improving. Has dropped in class but that is no guarantee that he will run well here. PRINCESS RUE is back in form with a win followed up by a good second. Sets a good pace. RULESOFENGAGEMENT has a chance if not fading. Generally fair form.

SELECTIONS: 1st - COURT DRESS * (3); 2nd - GATES OF FORTUNE (8); 3rd - NATIONS SPIRIT (1); 4th - PRINCESS RUE (9); 5th - RULESOFENGAGEMENT (10)

BEST BET:        RACE 7 - NUMBER 6 AL FELON

VALUE BET:    RACE 5 - NUMBER 10 FINVARRA

PLACE ACCUMULATOR: RACES 3 - 9