Winning Form selections for racing from the Vaal on Thursday 2nd January where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter @Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge

 

 

Please note. this meeting was switched from Turffontein due to rain, check for scratchings

 

Race 1 

GERBERA raced in a strong Conditional Maiden over 1160m on this course last time. The manner in which she has finished off both her efforts to date suggests that she will love the rise to 1400m. The daughter of One World has plenty of scope and if not too green around the turn, she should be the one to beat.

DYLAN’S CHAMP has finished second in his last three starts. He took the lead at the 350m mark last time and tried hard all the way to the line. Piere Strydom steps back into the saddle and is one of the leading contenders.

GREGARIOUS ran a good race when second over 1000m on this course last time. She jumped outwards leaving the start and stayed on to finish second. The daughter of Vercingetorix will love the rise to 1400m and with Gavin Lerena in the saddle, she should be involved.

Race 2

GUERILLA WARFARE‘S last two starts have been fair. He has won once and finished third once from four starts on this course. The son of New Predator drops back in class and may be the one to beat. He is carded to race on 28 December 2024 and his progress in that race will need to be monitored. 

CALL ME MASTER has finished third in his last three starts. He is having his peak run today and will be cherry-ripe. If getting luck in the early stages, he should throw out a big challenge to the top choice. 

KING OF NUMBERS finished 0.5 lengths behind the second selection last time. He is 0.5kgs better off at the weights today and there should not be much separating them at the finish. 

Race 3

LETS PLAY POKER followed up his maiden win with an equally impressive victory over 1500m on the Vaal Classic course. The manner in which he quickened up at the 200m mark that day was eye-catching. The son of Gimmethegreenlight is in a good space and can bring up the hat-trick. 

TWELVE OCLOCK HIGH finished 0.8 lengths behind the top choice last time. The pair meet on the same weight terms today and he may have to settle for the same result. He is having his second run after a rest and should strip much fitter. 

PEACE TREATY was running on when third over 1600m on the Vaal Classic course last time. He finished second in his penultimate run over this distance. If not too far out of his ground turning for home, he should be competitive. 

Race 4

TAMARISK TREE has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. He took the lead at the 400m mark last time and stayed on to finish third. He has won twice, finished second once and third three times from ten starts on this course. Gavin Lerena steps back into the saddle and he should be involved at the finish. 

HAWKBILL is a winner of his last two starts, the latest of which was over 1800m on the Vaal Classic course. He won his penultimate run over this C&D. The son of Elusive Fort is in a good space and merits healthy respect. 

WHAFEEF ran a fair race over 1600m on this course last time. Two of his five career victories have come on this course. He will be at peak fitness and cannot be ignored. 

 

 

Race 5

DOUGLAS DRAGON produced a strong finish when second over 2000m on this course. He won a good race in his penultimate start over this distance at the Vaal. The son of Lancaster Bomber is in a good space and if Jarryd Penny is able to keep him on a straight line, he can notch up his third-career victory. 

ARLINGTON ACTION finished 0.8 lengths behind the top choice last time. He is 0.5kgs better off at the weights today and there should not be much separating the pair at the finish. 

BANHA BRIDGE set the pace over this C&D last time before getting caught late by Royal Mazarin. Apprentice Trent Mayhew retains the ride and if repeating that effort, he should be hard to peg back. 

Race 6

CAPE LIGHTS ran a fair race in the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap last time. She was reported to be coughing that day which makes the effort that much more encouraging. She has won once, finished second once and third once from four starts over this C&D. She drops back in class and Raymond Danielson may be able to coax that little bit extra out of her where it matters most. 

FRANCINE should have finished closer to the winner last time as she had to be switched for running room at the 200m mark. With a bit of luck in running, she should throw out a big challenge to the top choice. 

HAPPY MO has very good consistent form lines to her credit. She set the pace over 1600m last time, before getting outrun late by Care Forgot. She has won twice on this course and is a versatile type. Piere Strydom rides and the combination merit healthy respect. 

Race 7

BOOM BOOM stumbled leaving the start over this C&D last time and stayed on to finish second. She takes a slight drop in class and if getting away to a clean start from pole position, she may find herself in the winner’s enclosure. 

RATTLE BAG has good recent form lines to her credit. She stayed on at the finish over this C&D last time, but found one too good in the form of Busstopinhounslow. She has won once, finished second once and third once from five starts over this C&D. She is carded to race on 24 December 2024 and her progress in that race will need to be monitored. 

WHISTLEDOWN finished 1.55 lengths behind the top choice last time. She is 1kg better off at the weights today and should finish closer as a result

 

 

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