The Vaal, Tuesday 17 Nov

The Vaal stages Tuesday`s South African racing action, an eight horse race card with a 1:15pm start time.

UNDERWAY AT

Race 1 - 13:15
Race 2 - 13:50
Race 3 - 14:25
Race 4 - 15:00
Race 5 - 15:35
Race 6 - 16:05
Race 7 - 16:36
Race 8 - 17:06

TRACK INFO

Race Track: Turf. 3000m oval circuit. Races up to 1600m straight course; beyond 1600m clockwise round turn with 1000m run-in.
Best Draws: Low-number draws slightly favoured in 1700m races.

Pen - 22
Going - Good
False Rail - Inside rail:Zero back straight 4m on the bend with 4m spur at 800m mark. Outside rail: Zero from 1600m to pull up area

EXOTICS
Bi Pot (Races 1-6 )
P A (Races 2-8 )
Pick 6 (Races 3-8 )
Jackpot 1 (Races 4-7 )
Jackpot 2 (Races 5-8 )

BEST BET
Race 2 LAGERTHA 19/10*

VALUE BET
Race 4 CHEVRON 12/1*

*Odds correct at time of posting

In Race 5 I like Lord Melbourne as an each way bet.how do you guys see this race?

sharky1 wrote: In Race 5 I like Lord Melbourne as an each way bet.how do you guys see this race?

Not without a chance.
I prefer Skiminac. Will run a cracker, methinks

Yes, Skiminac looks good. Will depend if Lord Melbourne sees out the 2400m. Going to be a cracker of a race

R1 Jacalac...EW
SW Pearl Dancer, In Abundance

R2 Mayon

R4 Palace Green SW Watusi...places

R5 Before Noon

VAAL STRAIGHT TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17 FORMGUIDES, SELECTIONS, PERMUTATIONS

by David Thiselton

Race 1

Preview: RED BISHOP (10) was a bit strong in the running over 1600m in his penultimate start but stayed on well for second and the form has been franked so he is a contender as a horse who strikes as one who will enjoy running down the straight over this shorter trip. BOLD JAZZ (3) comes out of a strong form race over 1160m and not only has a nice high draw but will relish the step up in trip on pedigree being by Bold Silvano out of Greys Inn mare Jazelle, who won five times, three of them over 2000m. JACALAC (7) was slow away from a similar low draw last time in his first try at this trip and stayed on well so Strydom would have learnt something from the run and he has to be considered here NUMBERNINETYNINE (1) is a big, rangy type who nearly held on after leading over this course and distance in soft going. MISS VENEZUELA (9) only just failed to hold on with first-time blinkers on over 1450m last time but was treading water late so will be vulnerable in the closing stages here. CAROLINA REAPER (6) stayed on nicely over 1160m last time and in his previous start over 1450m he was caught wide so that run can be ignored. (David Thiselton 10-3-7-1-9-6)

Race 2

Preview: LAGERTHA (1) has a superb pedigree and has her third run after a layoff so is a big runner here from a good draw over a step up n trip which will suit. MAYON (12) is a big rangy type who was slow away on debut over 1400m and stayed on well so should relish the step up in trip and has a shout if low draws are not a disadvantage on the day. MIRREN (13) disappointed last time but if repeating her debut over this trip when third to the fair sort Ululate she has a shout. ELECTRIC BOOTS (3) finished ahead of Mayon last time they met over 1400m and could earn here again. BIRDWATCHER (2) could also be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 1-12-13-3-2)

Race 3

Preview: THE SANDWICH MAN (2) was caught wide last time over 2600m but still fought on for a close third and he could reverse a 0,25 length beating by Fort Alado considering he now jumps from pole position. FORT ALADO (1) did well in his first try at a staying trip last time and can earn again. GREY STREET (4) is consistent over this trip and from a good draw can earn again although against him is that he hasn’t raced for 92 days. FAST DRAW (3) was just half-a-length behind The Sandwich Man last time when taking the lead a long way out in the 2600m event and Strydom stays aboard. SUPER HANDSOME ( was staying on over 1800m last time for second and being by Group 1 one mile and two furlong winner Byword out of a Silvano mare he night enjoy this trip but there are question marks as he has a wide draw and took quite a keen hold with first-time blinkers on last time and his dam did only win over 1400m. (David Thiselton 2-1-4-3-

Race 4

Preview: LITTLEWOOD (12) won a Classified race, in which females get a significant allowance, over this trip in her penultimate start from draw eleven out of 15 and as she was given no merit rated raise she can repeat the feat from another wide draw. PALACE GREEN (2) was beaten four lengths by Littlewood in that race and also finished behind Ration My Passion but he now has a plum draw and a 1,5kg claimer up so this consistent stayer should make a bold bid. VELD FLOWER (14) won her maiden easily over 2000m and being by Trippi out of a Galileo mare who won over 2000m she has a shout although she has to overcome a wide draw. RATION MY PASSON (15) faces Littlewood on the same terms for a 1,10 length beating over this trip. NABEELA (5) and WESTERN DANCE (16) are both interesting females in this race too. CHEVRON (3) is interesting stepped up in trip provided he gets cover from a tricky draw unlike in his last race over 1800m. (David Thiselton 12-2-14-15-5-16-3).

Race 5

Preview: STATELY HOME ( is by Silvano out of a Jet Master mare who won over 2000m so has chance of staying this trip and she became the best weighted runner here after the scratching of her stablemate Dance Class. BEFORE NOON (3) proved her worth in the Grade 2 Gold Vase and has a shout if able to overcome a tricky draw. SMILEY RIVER (10) is by Pomodoro out of a Hard Up mare who won up to 1800m so she might stay the trip and is one of the better weighted runners. SKIMINAC (1) has won over this trip before and from pole position represents a yard who are in fine form. OUR COYS (7) stayed on well over 2000m last time and might enjoy this trip. CAPTAIN CHORUS (9) finished close up when leading over 2400m last time and from a similarly good draw and Strydom back aboard he should be in the shake up. PSYCHO KING (6) is by Potala Palace out of a Daylami mare who won over 2400m so the step up in trip augurs well. LORD MELBOURNE (5) is a consistent sort who tries further and although his sire Duke Of Marmalade gives him a shout of staying his dam by Elliodor won over 1200m and 1300m and his best sibling Changingoftheguard won stakes races over 1400m and 1600m so there must be a stamina doubt. KURTS APPROVAL (11) can’t be ignored in an open race but he will need to find cover from a wide draw. FACT (2) is not in the best form but is the second best weighted runner and has a fair draw over a course and distance where she has a win and a third in three starts. (David Thiselton 8-3-10-1-7-9-6-5-11-2)

Race 6

Preview: CAPTAIN MORISCO (1) just failed to get there last time over 1000m and will enjoy stepping up to 1100m. ZIMBABA (3) looks promising and could still be anything. KWITE A TRIP ( disappointed last time and with blinkers on and a 2,5kg claimer aboard could make amends. (David Thiselton 1-3-

Race 7

Preview: ELIUD (16) won well on debut and has an easier task here than when facing the like of Pack Leader last time. GOLDEN PHEASANT (2) won comfortably on Saturday when out at the weights over 1600m so is interesting here back in a handicap three days later over 1400m off a likely six point higher merit rating. DARK TIDE (7) is in fine form and has another chance despite being raised four points for his second last time. STORM COMMANDER (11) is a fair sort and could improve with blinkers on. WAR JEWEL (15) won nicely last time but is six points higher. OSCAR WILDE ( is 2kg better off with War Jewel for a 1,5 length beating. POP ICON (6) is usually thereabouts and Strydom is up. STOP FOR NOTHING (18) can make his presence felt if getting in as second reserve. (David Thiselton 16-2-7-11-15-8-6-18)

Race 8

Preview: QUEEN BOMI (9) has a shout in this handicap if repeating her last start in a Graduation Plate. PEACEONHEROCKS (4) has a chance over a suitable trip if taking the tongue tie off does the trick. UN DEUX TROIS (10) won her maiden well and was tried in a feature last time. ASTRAL PLANE (5) should be in the shake up if low draws are not too much of a disadvantage. GET SET (17) has a shout if making it in as first reserve. RISE AS ONE (6) will likely enjoy the step down in trip. MISS KHALIFA (14) is off a competitive mark over an ideal trip. GOLDEN SPIRAL ( steps up to a suitable trip and has a shout of bouncing back from a below par last start. (David Thiselton 14-6-10-5-9-8-4-17)

Bipot (R108)
Leg 1: 10,3,7
Leg 2: 1,12
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 12,2,14
Leg 5: 8,3,10
Leg 6: 1,3

Place Accumulator: (R81)
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 12,2,14
Leg 4: 8,3,10
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 16,2,7
Leg 7: 9,4,10

Pick 6: (R1260)
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 12,2,14,15,5,16,3
Leg 3: 8,3,10,1,7,9,6,5,11,2
Leg 4: 1,3
Leg 5: 16,2,7
Leg 6: 9,4,10

Jackpot: (R840)
Leg 1: 12,2,14,15,5,16,3
Leg 2: 8,3,10,1,7,9,6,5,11,2
Leg 3: 1,3,8
Leg 4: 16,2,7,11

Best:
Race 3: 2

Value:
Race 1: 10

Picture: ELIUD has been selected to win the 7th race (JC Photos).

Good Morning; my five cents.

R1 Miss Venezuela & Number99

R2 Lagertha

R3 Grey Street & Super Handsome

R4 Littlewood & Rocky Path (16/1)

R6 Captain Morisco (Best Bet)

R7 Eluid (18/1) & Ice Lord (14/1)

R8 Rise As One

Enjoy the Day All.

Thought the card looked quite easy today :whistle:
Race 4: Littlewood
Race 7: Oscar Wilde
2 bankers in all exotics
easy game

Race 5 - Fact has been running in strong fields and MR has come down a bit.
Place.

For me mostly some very difficult racing; thoughts:

Race 1: A Maiden Handicap, which makes it very hard to predict; if Jonny Ripon stays the extra 200, eh may be the value imo; Red Bishop on his penultimate; Hewitson takes the ride on Pearl Dancer; very tough

R2: Open looking Maiden Fillies; my top 2 are Birdwatcher and Electric Boots, but the other Gray runner Bedouin Bride not out of it on her best run, same goes for Mirren

R3: Hard to split most; Super Handsome does look a few lengths better than these, but not sure to stay; Grey Street also has good form, but comes off a 3 month break

R4: Most are closely matched at the weights; Littlewood in form and should be right there again with Ration My Passion; Veld Flower a convincing maiden win and may be even better over the extra 400; Palace Green looks a difficult ride but may time it right one of these days, while Nabeela tries more ground again - not sure she stays

R5: Another race where a few may be stretched by the 2400 trip; Fact needed her last and does stay the trip, so definite chance with Captain Chorus; roughie Smiley River also well in and can upset them all if she gets the trip; most of the others some sort of chance if they stay

R6: This looks between Captain Morisco and Zimbaba whose maiden win has yielded 5 direct winners (even Arabella Queen who was beaten more than 14 lengths won her next start; but Captain Morisco no slouch

R7: Interesting handicap; Golden Pheasant on the weekend ran to above the 100 mark, so could be a late bloomer and if so can't be ignored here; Dark Tide, Oscar Wilde and War Jewel obvious chances on form; while Lone Survivor look best of the rest

R8: Got to take a chance somewhere, and on a line through Sweet and Spicy, Queen Bomi does look the right one here; if she fails, at least half the field can take advantage.

Enjoy