Winning Form selections for racing from the Vaal on Thursday 8th October where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter @Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge
Race 1
THANKSGIVING DAY had only has three runs to date, but has improved with each start, finishing second in the latest over 1000m, just 0.7L behind the winner. He was only grabbed late that day and could be the one to side with here.
AUTOGRAPH battled all the way down to the wire when finishing fifth in his latest outing over 1000m, 3.1L back from the winner. The colt hails from a stable who has been having it’s winners recently and should be right up there when they hit the line.
NICCI BEACH is an unraced Declarationofpeace gelding from the Tony Peter yard and any betting support for him should be respected.
Race 2
RAFEEF‘S QUEEN has finished second in her last three outings, the latest over 1200m, 0.4L back from the winner and with Keagan De Melo in the irons, she will be hoping to go one better today.
ASTROPHILE showed plenty of toe and was only run out of it late when finishing fourth in her latest outing over 1000m, 2.9L off the victor and could prove hard to reel in over the closing stages.
BEAUTIFUL ROSIE jumped awkwardly and was reported to have been cut into, but nevertheless finished fourth first time out over 1000m, 3.2L behind the winner and was immediately rested for 17 weeks. She returns here and should have come on further to be involved in the finish.
Race 3
DREADNOUGHT has only had three runs to date and delivered a powerful finish when ending up in second spot last time out over 1600m, 0.4L off the winner and on that effort, he should appreciate the extra ground on offer here.
GIDDY UP GRACE is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but has finished second in her last two starts, the latest over 1600m, 0.4L back from the winner. She made good late progress in that contest and will be seeking her maiden victory in this line-up.
LANCE ATTACK showed improvement when finishing third in his latest outing over 1600m, 4.4L behind the winner, notwithstanding being bumped at the start. The gelding has cracked pole position and if confirming that last effort, he should be a big runner here.
Race 4
EVENING PARADE followed up his maiden win in his penultimate start over 1000m with a third place finish next time out over 1160m, 2.5L off the winner. He returns from a 13 week rest, but is re-united with Calvin Habib who was aboard when the gelding won his race.
COOL GAMBLER put three lengths between himself and the opposition when winning his maiden race over 1200m at the second time of asking. Callan Murray retains the ride and the gelding could secure a one, two for Hollywood Racing.
SANDS OF VALHALLA won over this C&D three runs back, finished seventh in his penultimate start over the same trip at Greyville and then third in his latest start over 1600m, 4.75L behind the winner. He drops back to sprinting and could do better as a result.
Race 5
BUFFALO STORM CODY is an eleven time winner from twenty-one starts, the latest over 1200m at Greyville by 0.9L. He showed plenty of speed that day and then held off the chasing pack in the dash down to the line. The gelding has never been unplaced in three runs over this trip, so the drop in distance should not be an issue.
ESPINOZA followed up his penultimate start victory over 1160m with a third place finish next time out over 1000m, 0.4L behind the victor. He chased hard that day and with 2.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he could emerge as the biggest threat to the top pick.
CHARMING CHEETAH attracted plenty of betting support when winning his last start over 1200m, albeit by just 0.2L Muzi Yeni retains the ride and they should be involved in the finish.
Race 6
This looks to be a tricky contest with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. POWER OF PEARLS has won two of her last three starts, the latest over 1000m, by half a length. She jumped awkwardly that day and sustained a head injury, so that effort was commendable. She returns from a 13-week rest, but if not in need of the run, she may be the one they all have to beat.
SAKURA HANAMI showed plenty of speed and held on to win her last start over 1160m at Turffontein, and she could be good enough to complete the double.
THERE SHE GOES had to be checked at the 200m when finishing third last time out over 1000m, 0.95L behind the winner. She returns from a 21-week break, but will have 4kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice.
Race 7
TAKING A RISK has finished second in her last three outings, the latest over 1000m, beaten just 1.25L behind the winner. She was returning from a 14-week rest that day and would have come on from the outing.
CALADRIUS has won two of her last three starts, the latest over 1000m, by a neck. She will be looking to chalk up her third career win.
TRADITIONAL BELIEF showed plenty of toe, before being run out of it late over 1200m, 3.5L behind the winner, and he should enjoy the drop in trip of today’s contest.
Race 8
COMMANDER OF ALL delivered a powerful finish to win his last start over 1400m going away. That was a well-timed win and from gate six, he may prove good enough to follow up here.
SAIL THE SKY finished three lengths behind the top pick last time. He is 3kgs better off at the weights and there shouldn’t be too much separating them when they hit the line.
LONGSWORD is a two-time winner over this trip, one of which was on this track. The gelding finished sixth last time out over 1450m and will be looking for improvement with Keagan de Melo in the saddle