3 days ago
May 29 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis
Race 1 (1,700m)
This will not take much winning, so (1) BRIGHAM need not improve much on recent form and consistency to break his duck.
(4) ALAKANANI, (7) ART NOUVEAU and (8) BLUE QUARTZ also have the form and experience to play leading roles.
Race 2 (1,000m)
Promising (1) SYLVAN WARRIOR gave weight and a beating to older rivals on his handicap debut last time and, even under top weight, could prove hard to beat back in 2yo company.
(3) CONSTELLATION is 3kg better off last-start winner (2) NYAKA NYAKA, so could give the selection most to fear. Nyaka Nyaka is improving and likely to acquit himself competitively.
Recent runner-up (8) ANCHORAGE should make her presence felt too with any improvement.
Race 3 (1,200m)
(18) JAPANESE GARDEN built on an encouraging debut to finish second over 1,450m last time and showed enough pace that day to suggest that this shorter trip could be more to her liking.
(1) DESERT CLOUD has the form and greater experience to expose any chinks in the selection's armour.
Watch the betting on well-bred debutants (13) AL GREENGA and (10) DEZIRE.
Race 4 (1,200m)
Last-start runner-up (15) TIME WILL TELL has scope for improvement, so could have the measure of his rivals.
(1) MIZZEN SWORD needs only produce a similar performance to be in the shake-up once more.
Younger rival (17) WALL STREET also has plenty of upside. Keep safe.
(10) OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW would have benefited from her introductory outing and should not be underestimated.
Race 5 (2,000m)
It could pay to follow the progress of class-dropper (2) ALADDIN'S LAMP who caught the eye on his Highveld debut and would have benefited from that comeback.
Hard-knocker (3) BANHA BRIDGE is proven at this level and likely to be in the shake-up, too.
(1) THE ULTIMATE KING is progressive and unbeaten as a gelding. He won a similar race on his handicap debut and a five-point penalty is unlikely to halt his momentum.
(9) COPPOLA and (6) FUTUREWOLFF are 2kg better off with their last-start conqueror, so should pose more of a threat.
Race 6 (1,800m)
(3) INSTANT ATTRACTION was runner-up on handicap debut at a higher level. She races off an unchanged mark and will benefit from her rider's 1.5kg allowance.
(2) STORM AHEAD would not be winning out of turn after consecutive seconds but deserves another chance.
Recent runner-up (9) VIVA DE JANEIRO completes the shortlist.
Veterans (4) CARNELO and (5) CALL ME MASTER continue to hold their own in this grade and will likely acquit themselves competitively.
Race 7 (1,600m)
A slight ease in the ratings and return to this distance will suit (3) CAPE LIGHTS who could represent the value in a tricky handicap.
(8) AVOONTOAST had legitimate excuses for a disappointing last start and could make amends.
(6) BLIND AMBITION has thrived since relocating to the Highveld and this step-up in class is unlikely to prevent another bold showing.
(12) LAST CAR TO PASS and (14) I AM REGAL are others capable of playing a role.
Race 8 (1,400m)
(2) KING OF NUMBERS and (3) PAUL REVERE are closely matched on the form of a recent meeting over this trip and there should not be much separating them on these terms.
Last-start winner (4) DYLAN'S CHAMP is also a genuine candidate for honours.
(8) NEW MEXICO did not go unnoticed last time when returning from a break and should improve to make his presence felt too.
Race 9 (1,200m)
(15) ALONE TIME ran well above his rating last time when third at level weights to a 108-rated 3yo rival and a repeat of that performance in this weaker company should suffice.
(2) VEGAS HI RISE, (13) MICKE'S BOMB and (14) GOLDEN ASPEN will be competitive for the places if also reproducing their recent performances.
