VAAL CLASSIC THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2024

# Vaal Classic Thursday 11 January 2024 – Comments by David Thiselton

RACE 1

6 PLAY WITH FIRE 8 RED KNOT 4 TEO TORRIATTE 3 VOSHAARNOOI

Preview: 6 PLAY WITH FIRE has taken well to middle distances and has a chance here 8 RED KNOT is capable of better over this further step up in trip. 4 TEO TORRIATTE is not reliable but ran on well for second last time over 1600m and should handle the further step up 3 VOSHAARNOOI has shown some ability and could earn (6-8-4-3)

RACE 2

1 SAKHALA IS’CATHULO 2 SEA SHANTY 5 MAJOR STRIDES

Preview: 1 SAKHALA IS’CATHULO shows pace and nearly kept going all the way last time and it is interesting to see the blinkers now off. 2 SEA SHANTY only has 1,5 lengths to find on Sakhala Is’Cathulo 5 MAJOR STRIDES has not been disgraced in both starts and has a chance here. (1-2-5)

RACE 3

5 SOMEDAY MAYBE 1 ARTICUNO 2 FEATHER DANCER 3 OUT THE MIST

Preview: 5 SOMEDAY MAYBE is usually thereabouts and has a chance in this line up. 1 ARTICUNO has easily the best form but has not race for seven months 2 FEATHER DANCER improved in second time blinkers last time 3 OUT THE MIST has shown enough to be able to earn here (5-1-2-3)

RACE 4

3 PROFESSOR SNAPE 1 ABSOLUTE VALUE 2 BATTLEGROUND 5, POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Preview: 3 PROFESSOR SNAPE has proven able to stay this trip and can still improve. 1 ABSOLUTE VALUE is an effective front-runner over marathon trips but does have a big weight. 2 BATTLEGROUND has to make up 0,40 lengths on Absolute Value and is 1kg better off, so can do it although he does have a wide draw. 5 POSITIVE ATTITUDE was not beaten far in a Non-Black Type feature last time. (3-1-2-5)

RACE 5

6 UNIVERSAL LOVE 1 GLOBAL CHOICE 2 THREE STRANDS 3 ARIEL’S JET

Preview: 6 UNIVERSAL LOVE has some good form and might find it easier against the girls this time 1 GLOBAL CHOICE has an easier task than last time and should enjoy the step up in trip 2 THREE STRANDS beat Global Choice by a head last time and is half-a-kilogram better off and she should handle the trip. 3 ARIEL’S JET has comparable form with Universal Love so should be right there too (6-1-2-3)

RACE 6       1 ICE STAR 3 VIRGINIA BEACH 4 WHITE HILLS 6 HAPPY ANALIA

Preview: 1 ICE STAR has hard-knocking form and should be right there 4 again under a 4kg claimer. 3 VIRGINIA BEACH was beaten by a decent sort last time and can make amends WHITE HILLS faced a stronger field last time and can bounce back 6 HAPPY ANALIA in in fine form and goes for a hattrick (1-3-4-6)

RACE 7

1 NETTLETON 5 EMPRESS GAME 8 IN THE ETHER 4 WAR QUEEN

Preview: 1 NETTLETON is on the up and can follow up. 5 EMPRESS GAME is off a competitive mark and should be thereabouts. 8 IN THE ETHER has the ability to be right there. 4 WAR QUEEN is in good form and should be involved (1-5-8-4)

RACE 8

1 ROYAL EDITION 8 GODFATHER 9 KASHKAVAL 5 CREPUSCOLO

Preview: 1 ROYAL EDITION has some decent form against decent horses and could go close if able to overcome a tricky draw. 8 GODFATHER is an honest sort who should be involved in the finish. 9 KASHKAVAL is capable of better than recent 5 CREPUSCOLO has a wide draw but looks capable of improvement (1-8-9-5) 

Trainer at the Vaal thinks it's unlikely we will race today

Pls note , racing at the Vaal racecourse (11/1/24) has been abandoned.

After receiving 22.5mm of rainfall overnight and a total of 32.5mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours , a committee was formed this morning and gallops took place.

Unfortunately it was unanimous, that the track was unsafe for racing.

There was no possibility of moving racing to Turffontein as that venue has received even more rain.
Also important to note that it’s still raining at Vaal and the forecast is dismal.

NRB will send through comms about any races that will be added to the upcoming program.