Best bets and value tips for racing from the Vaal on Thursday 26th October with selections provided by Winning Form as well as their back page tipster, Magic Tips.

Winning Form Best Bets

Race 1: SWEET TRIAL(5)
Race 3: KEY HOSTESS(1)
Race 6: SO LONG SPRING(8)
Race 7: LA COLLOSSA(2)

Magic Tips Best Bets

Race 3: WESTERN SHAMROCK(14)

Jockey: Craig ZACKEY - Trainer: Candice DAWSON

WESTERN SHAMROCK was well-supported when she produced a fair debut over this distance at Turffontein six weeks ago and she should have much more to offer after that experience. That formline has worked out well. The speedy filly MOGGIE BROWN isn't favourably drawn but she would have strengthened during her 20 week absence and could still have a major say. Of course she stayed on for a good 2nd behind a promising sort over this c & d second time out and that formline has also been franked. The daughter of Sail From Seattle may have her issues but she looks progressive and is her yard's only runner on the card.

TOP BET

Race 7: LA BASTIDE(4)

Jockey: Lyle HEWITSON- Trainer: Sean TARRY

I could pay to monitor the progress of Flying Winger in the previous event as the first selection here, LA BASTIDE went close against male rivals on her handicap debut over a similar trip on this track second time out. The Tarry inmate had a smart debut victory prior to that and she has much room for improvement. The daughter of Dan De Lago was handed a four pound penalty but she has plenty more to offer and is well-handicapped against her own sex today.

Race 8: STATE STAR(4)

Jockey: Randall SIMONS- Trainer: Alec LAIRD

STATE STAR is the narrow first selection in this highly competitive seven furlong handicap which may be run at a false tempo. This lightly raced four-year old showed smart potential during the autumn and though she has some niggles, she would have benefitted from the break and could still be ahead of the handicapper's assessment. Her fitness is an obvious concern.

Race 9: TEENAGE DREAM(9)

Jockey: Gavin LERENA - Trainer: Lucky HOUDALAKIS

TEENAGE DREAM reached a competitive merit rating and it showed when she improved to finish a decent 3rd behind the brilliantly ridden QUEENIE (2nd reserve runner, 2.5kgs worse off) over a mile on this course a fortnight ago. The chestnut daughter of Lateral wasn't penalized for the effort and she could have a big say with top jockey Gavin Lerena retaining the ride from a favourable barrier. Her only victory came over this shorter distance.

VALUE BET (EACH WAY) FOR TODAY:

Race 1: SAVITAR(12)

Jockey: Weichong MARWING - Trainer: Weiho MARWING

SAVITAR attracted betting support in both his moderate efforts indicating that he has shown the yard some good work back home. He did improve when making late progress from a wide draw on a tight circuit over this distance recently and that formline was boosted when the runner-up Hampton Court and 3rd placed finisher Great Shaka won their subsequent starts. This bay colt should offer further progress.

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