Winning Form selections for racing from the Vaal on Thursday 22nd January where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter @Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge
Race 1
REECE‘S WISH has finished second in her three efforts to date. She was running on over 1400m on the Standside course last time. The daughter of Vercingetorix will love the rise to 1600m. She is back against her own sex and can shed her maiden tag.
BLOOD OF EDEN was caught late when second over 1800m on the Vaal Classic course last time. The daughter of Heavenly Blue will enjoy the drop back to 1600m and she may be the one to fill the exacta spot.
UTSAAH‘S last three starts have been decent. She was slow into stride over this distance last time, but stayed on to finish fourth. She gets the blinkers fitted which should keep her mind on the task at hand. From pole position, she can feature.
Race 2
KNOWMORE made the expected natural improvement when fourth over 1400m last time. He lost a length leaving the start that day, but stayed on at the finish. The son of Fire Away is a progressive type and should love the rise to 1600m. From pole position, he may be the one to side with.
GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT produced a decent debut effort over 1400m at the Vaal. It must be noted that the horses that finished second and third that day have come out and won since. He would have gained from the experience and with the natural improvement that is expected, he should pose a threat.
WORLD ORDER stayed on when third over 1800m on the Vaal Classic course last time. He has finished second twice and third once from four starts over this distance. Muzi Yeni retains the ride, and he can feature.
Race 3
HAT AND HEELS has shown improvement in her last two starts, the latest of which was against male company. The daughter of Hat Puntano is bred to enjoy the rise to 2000m. She carries a light mass and with a bit of luck from her wide draw, she may find herself in the winner’s enclosure.
KAVOMOLKA stayed on when third over 1700m on this course last time. He gets a change of headgear and should enjoy the rise to 2000m. Should the top choice fluff her lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
ASIAH‘S TIARA has consistent form lines to her name. She finished third in her only attempt over this C&D. The daughter of Rabada should earn another cheque.
Race 4
Trainer St John Gray holds a strong hand in this contest and can saddle the first two past the post. FUTURE DATE has good form lines to her credit. She set the pace over 1800m last time before getting caught late by Dimako’s Jet. She finished third in her only C&D attempt. The daughter of Futura is likely to race on the pace and she may be hard to peg back.
FREE IN SEATTLE ran a fair race in the Listed War Of Athena Handicap last time. It must be noted that the horse that finished third that day has come out and won since. The daughter of Mambo In Seattle merits healthy respect.
AZALEAS FOR ALL finished 1.3 lengths behind the top selection last time. She is 1kg better off at the weights today and should finish closer as a result. She is carded to race on 15 January 2026 and her progress in that race will need to be monitored.
Race 5
LADY BLUNT is better than her last start as she was reported to be not striding out. The manner in which she finishes off her races suggests that she will enjoy the rise to 2000m. Rachel Venniker takes the 1.5kgs off her back which will assist her cause. She drops in class and from pole position, she can return to winning ways.
GRACE‘S KISS challenged strongly when third over 1600m on the Vaal Classic course last time. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. If seeing out the 2000m, she should pose a big threat.
ROSY LEMON produced a strong finish when winning her last start over this distance on the Vaal Classic course. She received a four-pound penalty for that victory. She is in a good space and merits healthy respect.
Race 6
MAX THE MAGICIAN has good recent form lines to his name. He raced from a handy position over 1600m on the Standside course last time, but found one too good in the form of Grand Empire. Three of his five career victories have come on this course. Muzi Yeni steps back into the saddle and he may be the one to side with.
SLINKY MAPIMPI is better than his last start in the Grade 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants as he was reported to be not striding out. He finished 1 length behind the top choice in his penultimate outing. The pair meet on the same weight terms today and he may have to settle for the same result.
SECRET CHORD has good consistent form lines to his name. He finished second in the Non- Black Type WSB Heritage Consolation last time. The son of Bezrin merits healthy respect.
Race 7
TIN PAN ALLEY is the best bet on the programme. He is better than his last start in the Grade 2 Jackpot City Dingaans as he was reported to be not striding out. The son of The United States won his only attempt over this C&D. He is the class horse in this contest and can return to winning ways.
GREATERIX showed signs of needing his first start as a gelding. He would have come on from the outing and should enjoy the rise to 1450m. With a bit of luck from the widest draw, he should have a say in the outcome of this contest.
BOB‘S YOUR UNCLE ran a good race when third in the Non-Black Type WSB Grand Heritage last time. He has won twice, finished second once and third once from six starts over this C&D. The 6yo gelding should produce another honest performance.
Race 8
SONIC JET set the pace in the Non-Black Type WSB Grand Heritage last time before getting outrun late. 4kgs claiming Apprentice Savanna Valjalo retains the ride. She is likely to race on the pace from her good draw of three and may be hard to peg back.
LAST CAR TO PASS stayed on when third in the Non-Black Type Heritage Consolation last time. She gets the blinkers fitted which should keep her mind on the task at hand. Muzi Yeni may be able to coax that little bit extra out of her where it matters most.
MISS HANNIGAN has finished second in her last two starts over this C&D. She returns from a 10-week break which would have done her the world of good. If not in need of the run, she should go close.
Race 9
OPERA FAN won a good race over 1600m on the Vaal Classic course last time. She set the pace and found more where it matters most to hold all challengers at bay. Rachel Venniker takes the 1.5kgs off her back which will assist her cause. She is in a good space and can follow up with another victory.
FAIR PROPOSAL ran on from last when second over this distance on the Vaal Classic course last time. She takes a slight drop in class and is one of the leading contenders.
GOLDEN ASPEN has fair recent form lines to her name. She has won twice, finished second twice and third once from ten starts over this C&D. She is carded to race on 17 January 2026 and her progress in that race will need to be monitored
