Winning Form selections for racing from the Vaal on Saturday 17th January where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter @Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge
Race 1
Five of the eight runners in this contest are first timers and the betting market will be the best guide. CATFISH found one too good in the form of Turn It Up on debut. The son of Danon Platina found betting support that day which suggests that he was showing good work at home. He would have gained from the experience and with the natural improvement that is expected, he can go one better.
BUFFALO KING CODY finished 0.25 lengths behind the top choice last time. The pair meet on the same weight terms today and there should not be much separating them at the finish.
MOOSALEKKA was in need of her debut effort over this distance at Turffontein. She would have come on from the outing and can improve to finish in the placings.
Race 2
ZALATORIS is better than his last start in the Grade 2 Jackpot City Dingaans. It must be noted that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won a Grade 1 since. The son of Erik The Red is having his first run for the Tony Peter stable. Both his career victories have come over this distance and he may be the one to side with.
CHAPBOOK was given a peach of a ride when winning his last start over 1000m at Turffontein. Rachel Venniker retains the ride and the combination merit healthy respect.
THE LAST DUKE tried hard when second over this C&D last time. He returns from a 12- week break which may have done him the world of good. If not in need of the outing, he should be competitive.
Race 3
TAEGAN‘S CHAMP is better than his last outing in the Non-Black Type WSB Grand Heritage as he was reported to be not striding out. He gets the blinkers fitted for the first time which should keep his mind on the task at hand. Gavin Lerena is booked to ride and on best form shown, he can go close.
HOTARUBI is having his first outing for the Chris Jonker stable. He has won twice and finished second once from five starts on this course. The son of Vercingetorix can show good improvement.
BRISTOL HERCULES was disappointing in the Non-Black Type WSB Grand Heritage last time. He steps back up in distance and can earn a cheque for his patrons.
Race 4
OPEN HIGHWAY was not beaten far in the Non-Black Type WSB Grand Heritage last time. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. The son of Var will love the rise to 1700m and with the services of 2.5kgs claiming Apprentice Jacey Botes, he can notch up his seventh-career victory.
ON TARGET stayed on when fourth over 1600m at Turffontein last time. Apprentice Savanna Valjalo takes the 4kgs off his back. He will strip much fitter and is one of the leading contenders.
TOMMY SHELBY showed good signs of a form return in his last start over 1800m on the Classic course. His last victory came over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. If keeping on a straight line, he should be involved at the finish.
Race 5
REPETITION ran a good race when second in his first start for the Craig Mayhew stable. The manner in which he finished off his race that day was encouraging. The son of Twice Over takes a drop in class and gets the services of Ryan Munger. He can go one better in this line-up.
REAL STUNNER finished 1.3 lengths behind the top selection last time. He is 1.5kgs better off at the weights and there should not be much separating the pair at the finish.
SKY PILLAR ROCK tired late over this distance on the Classic course last time. If finding the form of his penultimate outing, he should be competitive.
Race 6
This is a competitive Merit Rated 66 Handicap and caution is advised. The tentative first choice is CARNELO from the Shaylen Naidoo stable. He took on stronger in his last start over this distance at Turffontein. It must be noted that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won since. He finished third in his penultimate outing over this C&D. Apprentice Savanna Valjalo steps back into the saddle and he can upset. He is carded to race on 15 January 2026 and his progress in that race will need to be monitored.
NORTHERN KITTEN was outrun late over 1600m on the Classic course last time. Her record over this C&D is a slight concern, but she is in a good space and can show.
GOLDEN ASPEN has fair recent form lines to her name. She will be doing her best work at the finish and can earn another cheque.
Race 7
ONE FINE WINTER has good consistent form lines to her credit. She was given a peach of a ride when winning her last start over 1160m at Turffontein. She would have come on from the outing and should strip much fitter. Calvin Habib retains the ride and the combination can follow up with another victory.
ANCHORAGE may have cost herself winning the Non-Black Type Sophomore 1000 last time as she tried to bite the jockey of the winner that day. It is encouraging that Serino Moodley steps back into the saddle and she is one of the leading contenders.
RIFLE QUEEN is unbeaten from two starts to date. She returns from a 22-week break, during which time she would have strengthened up. The daughter of Buffalo Bill Cody looks to have class about her and if fit, she can remain unbeaten.
Race 8
XENOPHON is one of the better bets on the programme. He showed good speed over 1200m on the Classic course last time, before getting outrun late by Fully Loaded. He finished second in his penultimate outing over this C&D. The son of Vercingetorix always gives of his best and can notch up his third- career victory.
RAFA BAY finished 0.25 lengths behind PLUS FOUR last time. He is 5kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. He is carded to race on 15 January 2026 and his progress in that race will need to be monitored.
PLUS FOUR ran on when winning his last start over this distance at Turffontein. He received a three-pound penalty for that victory. Rachel Venniker retains the ride and the combination merit healthy respect.
Race 9
MAVERICK QUEEN has good recent form lines to her name. She received a bump leaving the start last time, but finished off her race strongly. She has won three times, finished second once and third twice from nine starts over this distance. She is back against her own sex and may be the one to beat.
PLAY WITH THE WIND finished 1.6 lengths behind the top choice last time. She is 3kgs worse off at the weights today and may battle to turn the form around.
WAITING ON CHARLIE‘S last two starts have been good. She raced from just off the pace last time, moved up before getting outrun late. Serino Moodley steps back into the saddle, and she should fight out the finish.
Race 10
TIME FOR CHARITY finished 1.35 lengths behind TIGER STORM last time. She is 2kgs better off at the weights today and that may be enough to turn the form around. If getting away on terms, she may find herself in the winner’s enclosure.
TIGER STORM has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. He stayed on over 1000m at Turffontein last time. Should the top choice fluff her lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
ZOOMBOMBER showed good improvement in his last start over 1400m on this course. The fitting of the blinkers seems to have done the trick. If confirming his recent improvement, he should have a say
