May 22 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis
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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July 31 South Africa (Vaal) form guide
Race 1 (1,600m) (6) REDLIGHTGREENLIGHT is in form and can upstage those rivals in receipt of 3kg. (3) SINGLETON SAM and (4) THE LAST DUKE improved after a first outing as impressive maiden winners recently. Bear watching. (1) MIGHTY EAGLE and (2) RED PENNY let down a little when beaten by a subsequent Grade 2-placed runner over 1,400m. Stay with them on earlier form. Race 2 (1,200m) (1) ICONIC WINTER caught the eye last time in her second start back from a lengthy layoff. Could go one better. (4) BLUSHING BLOOM has improved with each outing and should be a factor after a career-best second last time. (7) RINGA RINGA ROSES and (10) TWELFTH OF NEVER are not taken lightly on debut. Race 3 (1,200m) (1) XENOPHON is due for a win soon on the strength and consistency of his form. (11) POWER OF PEARLS ran a fast-finishing third over 1,000m on debut. Open to improvement following a 186-day absence. Younger rivals (8) CAPTAIN FRANK and (9) GAVIUS MAXIMUS fit a similar profile, so should not be underestimated. Race 4 (1,600m) (8) RADIO STAR stayed on for fifth in 1,400m race after a second in both previous outings over the same distance against older opposition. The step-up in trip will suit. (7) MATROOSBERG and (6) LUWAK, a pleasing debut third, are also likely to improve. (4) BEST CANDIDATE will improve on his debut sixth. Race 5 (1,600m) (8) BABETTE'S FEAST was rather one-paced on debut. Can improve. (3) MATTIAZO is knocking on the door. Solid claims. (10) WITCHING HOUR should have a role to play after a career-best second over this trip last time. (2) NKWENKWEZI has the form and experience to make her presence felt but is vulnerable to less-exposed types. Race 6 (1,450m) (3) MISS LIA makes her reappearance from a six-month layoff following her no-show in a 3yo Fillies Grade 2. She won after a three-month break last year, so does run well fresh. (8) DESTINY OF FIRE is capable of better than her recent performances suggest, so she should not be taken lightly at this level of her current rating. (9) HONG KONG and (10) EXCEEDINGLY GLAM are also dangerous to discount at the bottom of the weights. Race 7 (1,450m) (1) TOO LATE MY MATE deserves a reward for her consistency and this drop in class represents an ideal opportunity for her to end a 522-day winless run. (2) LADY SABRINA, (5) WHIRLYBIRD and (6) MAVERICK QUEEN seem most likely dangers. Race 8 (1,450m) (5) PALACE PRINCE is an up-and-comer whose progress should be worth following. (1) FOSTINOVO ran fifth at Turffontein on July 26. Every chance if taking his place at this lower level with a 1.5kg-claimer up. (2) CRESCENDO had excuses for his disappointing last start and a subsequent 75-day break would have done him good. Hard-knockers (3) AFTER HOURS cannot be ignored at this level but is vulnerable to less-exposed, improving types.
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