
May 22 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis
Race 1 (1,500m)
Debut winner (2) MISS NOVAX is open to any amount of improvement with that experience under her belt and, on pedigree, this extended trip should suit.
(3) SISTER GOLDEN HAIR and (1) LITTLEMISSSPLENDID have the form and experience to be competitive, as does maiden (8) WAITING ON CHARLIE.
Race 2 (1,500m)
(2) TENJIKU and (1) MIGHTY EAGLE were impressive last-start winners over slightly shorter. Both are likely to play leading roles.
(6) SINGLETON SAM is a well-bred newcomer. Watch him.
(3) RED AMBER was also a winner last time and, on the evidence of her fast-finishing 1,200m victory, should have more to offer over this extended trip.
Race 3 (1,800m)
(2) NKWENKWEZI (blinkers off) can win on the strength and consistency of her earlier form.
(1) ARTIC SILVER was first past the post last time but disqualified after her rider weighed in underweight. She can bounce back.
(4) WORLD TOUR is closely matched with those rivals on recent form, so should be a factor.
(3) LUNAR RAINBOW has earning potential.
Race 4 (1,800m)
Last-start runners-up (1) PIONEER SQUARE and (2) PHIL THE FLUTER are obvious candidates for success and will likely fight out the finish, though preference is for the former who finished close-up last time in his first appearance after a rest and gelding.
(4) HEROIC ACT has rediscovered form after a layoff and is another with legitimate earning potential.
(6) FUTURE KING is unexposed and could improve to have a say.
Race 5 (2,400m)
The majority of these runners are engaged to run earlier, so their participation will need to be monitored.
(10) RAINY SEASON, (3) BLURRED VISION and (9) SILVER FLARE all have the ability to fight for victory if taking their place in the line-up.
Hard-knocker (4) NUCLEAR FORCE is another with legitimate each-way credentials.
Race 6 (1,600m)
(2) UNSOLVED RIDDLE caught the eye on his local debut and need not improve much to also play a leading role.
The rejuvenated (4) SAIL THE SKY, (1) AFTER HOURS and (5) SNEAK PREVIEW ran well last week and will likely feature prominently if repeating those performances.
Race 7 (1,600m)
(1) ACCEPT COOKIES is awkwardly drawn but gets the nod judged on the strength and consistency of her form.
Consistent (5) PRETTY ANALIA, hard-knocker (6) QUANTUM and class-dropper (2) TRIED AND TRUE should also make their presence felt.
Race 8 (1,000m)
(4) PASSAGE OF POWER dead-heated for a cracking second to Yamadori at his last start. He finished more than 2½ lengths clear of stablemate (6) WARM WINTER NITE. On similar weight terms, the tables are unlikely to be turned.
(3) MASTER CASPER is 3kg better off with last-start conqueror Warm Winter Nite. There should not be much between the pair on these terms.
(7) RICHARD THE FIRST did not go unnoticed on his return from a break and should build on that comeback.
Race 9 (1,000m)
Promising 3yo gelding (3) IT'S PERSONAL is distance-suited and open to improvement, so should be competitive.
Fellow sophomore (5) TIGER STORM fits a similar profile and boasts the form and experience to play a leading role.
(6) HEMISPHERE should also be thereabouts.
(10) PHANTOM EXPRESS is a hard-knocker at this level, so should not be underestimated.
Race 10 (1,000m)
Youngster (3) ONE TIGER improved with the benefit of an introductory outing to win last time and further progress is expected of the unexposed 2yo colt with first-time blinkers fitted.
Hard-knockers (4) INAFIX, (5) PHALA MILLIONS and (6) SAMOA all have the form and experience at this level of the handicap to trouble the selection.
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New Paper
21-05-2025
- New Paper
May 22 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis
Race 1 (1,500m) Debut winner (2) MISS NOVAX is open to any amount of improvement with that experience under her belt and, on pedigree, this extended trip should suit. (3) SISTER GOLDEN HAIR and (1) LITTLEMISSSPLENDID have the form and experience to be competitive, as does maiden (8) WAITING ON CHARLIE. Race 2 (1,500m) (2) TENJIKU and (1) MIGHTY EAGLE were impressive last-start winners over slightly shorter. Both are likely to play leading roles. (6) SINGLETON SAM is a well-bred newcomer. Watch him. (3) RED AMBER was also a winner last time and, on the evidence of her fast-finishing 1,200m victory, should have more to offer over this extended trip. Race 3 (1,800m) (2) NKWENKWEZI (blinkers off) can win on the strength and consistency of her earlier form. (1) ARTIC SILVER was first past the post last time but disqualified after her rider weighed in underweight. She can bounce back. (4) WORLD TOUR is closely matched with those rivals on recent form, so should be a factor. (3) LUNAR RAINBOW has earning potential. Race 4 (1,800m) Last-start runners-up (1) PIONEER SQUARE and (2) PHIL THE FLUTER are obvious candidates for success and will likely fight out the finish, though preference is for the former who finished close-up last time in his first appearance after a rest and gelding. (4) HEROIC ACT has rediscovered form after a layoff and is another with legitimate earning potential. (6) FUTURE KING is unexposed and could improve to have a say. Race 5 (2,400m) The majority of these runners are engaged to run earlier, so their participation will need to be monitored. (10) RAINY SEASON, (3) BLURRED VISION and (9) SILVER FLARE all have the ability to fight for victory if taking their place in the line-up. Hard-knocker (4) NUCLEAR FORCE is another with legitimate each-way credentials. Race 6 (1,600m) (2) UNSOLVED RIDDLE caught the eye on his local debut and need not improve much to also play a leading role. The rejuvenated (4) SAIL THE SKY, (1) AFTER HOURS and (5) SNEAK PREVIEW ran well last week and will likely feature prominently if repeating those performances. Race 7 (1,600m) (1) ACCEPT COOKIES is awkwardly drawn but gets the nod judged on the strength and consistency of her form. Consistent (5) PRETTY ANALIA, hard-knocker (6) QUANTUM and class-dropper (2) TRIED AND TRUE should also make their presence felt. Race 8 (1,000m) (4) PASSAGE OF POWER dead-heated for a cracking second to Yamadori at his last start. He finished more than 2½ lengths clear of stablemate (6) WARM WINTER NITE. On similar weight terms, the tables are unlikely to be turned. (3) MASTER CASPER is 3kg better off with last-start conqueror Warm Winter Nite. There should not be much between the pair on these terms. (7) RICHARD THE FIRST did not go unnoticed on his return from a break and should build on that comeback. Race 9 (1,000m) Promising 3yo gelding (3) IT'S PERSONAL is distance-suited and open to improvement, so should be competitive. Fellow sophomore (5) TIGER STORM fits a similar profile and boasts the form and experience to play a leading role. (6) HEMISPHERE should also be thereabouts. (10) PHANTOM EXPRESS is a hard-knocker at this level, so should not be underestimated. Race 10 (1,000m) Youngster (3) ONE TIGER improved with the benefit of an introductory outing to win last time and further progress is expected of the unexposed 2yo colt with first-time blinkers fitted. Hard-knockers (4) INAFIX, (5) PHALA MILLIONS and (6) SAMOA all have the form and experience at this level of the handicap to trouble the selection.

Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Straits Times
No gears, no brakes, Formula Fixed out to fast-forward U.S. cycling
No gears, no brakes, Formula Fixed out to fast-forward U.S. cycling In the fluorescent glow of a re-purposed indoor go-kart track, cyclists hurtle around hairpin corners, their fixed-gear bikes offering a stark binary choice: perfect execution or intimate acquaintance with the barriers. Welcome to the world of Formula Fixed, a new adrenaline-fuelled cycling format organisers believe can finally give the two-wheeled sport the street-cred it lacks in the United States. "There are no real professional leagues that have cohesive storytelling and that's a shame, it's frustrating. So we're setting out to fix that," James Grady, co-founder of the venture with wife Clare, told Reuters. "94 percent of people in the States know how to ride a bike, but the sport's ability to convert that familiarity into fandom is fundamentally broken." Formula Fixed, which launched its inaugural Pro Series later this year, is cycling stripped back to the raw. No gears, no brakes, just leg-pumping action that fuses messenger culture, video game aesthetics and athletic prowess. Unlike traditional formats, whether road racing or track, fans and TV audiences of Formula Fixed won't need to be cycling aficionados to follow what's going on. "We're not here to tweak the old model," James says. "We're here to tear it down and rebuild it from scratch with culture, inclusivity, and energy at the core." The Gradys have been putting on events for more than a decade, including the Mission Crit in San Francisco -- a popular Criterium race around the city streets. Formula Fixed has evolved that format for retro-fitted arenas where fans can watch 100% of the action without having to move from their seat. "Mission Crit was getting more and more riders and more and more spectators, but it was hard to monetise because there's no front door," Clare says. "Fans at city crit races see maybe 10% of the action. I wouldn't want to pay for that." James says in the crowded sports landscape, spectators demand a more immersive experience, pointing to the popularity of golf's arena-based TGL and basketball's Unrivaled. Attempts to revolutionise cycling have been made before. The National Cycling League (NCL) with city-based franchise teams and celebrity-investments was launched a few years ago but soon ran into trouble and collapsed. The Gradys feel they have found the perfect recipe though and judging by a sold-out showcase event last year in California that was backed by brands such as Red Bull and Rapha and generated 5.6 million digital impressions, they may be right. "Whether you're in-venue, watching on-screen, or on your phone, you're going to feel the speed, the energy, and the emotion of every corner and crash," Clare says. The series will predominantly attract those from America's fixed-gear bike messenger scene rather than WorldTour pros, but the door is wide open for international competitors. "The key is it will really resonate with American audiences," James says. Formula Fixed will launch with two two-day qualifying events in Doylestown, Pennsylvania and San Francisco in September with the best male and female riders competing in a 2026 Pro Series. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


New Paper
30-04-2025
- New Paper
May 1 SA (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,000m) (10) VERSACE ONTHETRACK drew support and ran with promise on debut over track and trip. With natural improvement expected, should play a leading role. Newcomers (2) CHERICHERILADY and (3) GIRL IN VERDITE are worth a market check on debut, as is (6) MY EYES NEVER LIE with championship-chasing riders booked to ride. Race 2 (1,000m) (7) EIGHT HATS confirmed her debut third with a close-up second over this trip on the Inside track in open company. She could open her account. Speedy (5) TIME WILL TELL also acquitted himself well in open company last time. Chance with a similar run. Watch the betting on newcomer (3) DRAGONHEART with Gavin Lerena booked to ride. (2) CARNARVON can make his presence felt. Race 3 (1,400m) (1) ICHACHA has benefited from an encouraging comeback outing. Can fight out the finish. (6) MIRROR FLECTION stayed on for third on debut over a shorter trip. May find this distance more to his liking. Youngsters (10) MIGHTY EAGLE and newcomer (9) FIRE STARTER are also respected. Race 4 (1,400m) (1) POINTER was a fast-finishing second over this trip at a higher level last time and need only repeat that performance to capitalise on this ease in grade. (2) CAPE LIGHTS also has form and experience to fight for victory, along with progressive 3yo (5) PALACE DANCER who should play a leading role. (8) MOUNTAIN HIGH appeals most of the remainder. Race 5 (1,600m) Last-start winner (3) SAFE SPACE remains competitive but needs luck from a wide gate. (5) SPRING TRADITION and (8) THE PLAYBOY BOMBER should make their presence felt. (4) SHINTO SHRINE produced an encouraging effort after gelding. This extended distance will be more to his liking. Race 6 (2,000m) (4) AMERICAN REBEL was an authoritative winner over this trip last time. The step-up in class will not stop another bold bid. (6) ARLINGTON ACTION and (2) TO THE RESCUE have the form and experience at this level to trouble the selection. Class-dropper (7) PANNING GOLD is not taken lightly either. Race 7 (1,160m) (2) CYMRIC rallied gamely to score in this grade over the same track and trip last time. Another bold showing is expected under a two-point penalty. (4) SILVER TUDOR ran on from a hopeless position after being drawn wide. Will pose more of a threat on 2kg better terms. (3) YAMADORI has thrived since relocating to the Highveld. Deserves a win on his consistency. Hat-trick seeking (7) WARM WINTER NITE completes the shortlist. Race 8 (1,160m) (2) SECRET CHORD is ideally suited to this track and trip. He went close over 1,200m in a stronger race last time. (5) TURBO POWER is another with earning potential. (9) WAR OF KINGDOMS confirmed his debut second over track and trip with a win last time. Open to progress. (10) PRINCE OF KILDARE is worth following.