Aug 13 South Africa (Vaal) preview
Clairwood Breeze enough to blow them away
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Race 1 (2,400m)
(4) CLAIRWOOD BREEZE is closely matched with those rivals on the form of their July 2 clash over 1,800m. Lightly raced, the 4YO gelding is open to improvement over this extended trip, so it could pay to follow his progress.
(1) EPIDAURUS, (2) EVENING NEWS and (5) COMIC ARTIST have the form and experience to be competitive but are engaged to run at an earlier meeting over 2,000m.
Race 2 (1,000m)
(1) CORSARO SUPER improved after a break to finish fourth over this trip last time before switching stables. He has scope for further progress and could make a winning start for new connections with a repeat of his latest performance.
(8) THE BACHELORETTE failed to confirm the promise of her debut second when last seen, but she did have excuses that day. She must be respected on her reappearance following a subsequent break.
The returning (4) JUSTHAVEFUN and well-bred newcomer (9) THORN BIRD are other unknown quantities to keep onside and worthy of a market check.
Race 3 (1,600m)
(8) TEA FOR THREE was dropped out from a wide draw last time over 1,450m and made encouraging late headway, suggesting a step-up in trip would suit. The Sean Tarry-trained 3YO filly is ideally positioned in gate 1 and should have more to offer over the extra, so it could pay to follow her progress.
(1) NORTHERN EUROPEAN showed enough promise as a 2YO, albeit up to 1,400m, to suggest that she will be competitive over this extended trip.
(5) GRAINS OF PARADISE can also improve stretching out to this trip.
(2) BE THE ONE has form over this distance and that experience will stand her in good stead.
Race 4 (1,600m)
(7) SKITT SMILING, (2) ONE STATE and (3) CAMPO FORMIO are closely matched on the form of a recent meeting over 1,400m, but Skitt Smiling took off once the penny had dropped and was only narrowly defeated, so this extended trip should be more to his liking.
(1) CRIMSON RANGER has the form and experience over 1,600m to trouble the selection.
Race 5 (1,800m)
(1) SCARLET O’HARA enjoyed a productive 3YO campaign and should continue to progress this term. She was a fast-finishing second in a stronger race over this trip last time, so a repeat of that performance will likely suffice.
Consistent hard-knockers (2) SURPRISE PARTY and (3) AZALEAS FOR ALL are closely matched on recent form and should remain competitive off their current marks.
(6) INSTANT ATTRACTION also have the means to make presence felt.
Race 6 (1,000m)
(2) TROMPE L’OEIL confirmed the promise of his 2YO debut win by finishing a close-up second in a stronger race on the opening day of the new season. He will not need to improve a great deal to get back to winning ways.
(3) HAMMER BLOW and (5) ANGEL’S OASIS are consistent hard-knockers with the form and experience to expose any chinks in the selection’s armour.
(7) SERGEANT SOQRAT has earning potential too.
Race 7 (1,450m)
(4) COLD SHINE lost little in defeat in his hat-trick bid over 1,160m last time and, on pedigree, this extended trip ought to be within his compass.
Veteran (5) AFTER HOURS has rediscovered his form recently and remains competitive off his current mark, along with filly (7) ONCEINABLUEMOON off reduced ratings.
(3) BIG UNIT returns from a lengthy layoff but boasts solid Western Cape and Highveld form credentials for his former trainer.
Race 8 (1,450m)
The lightly raced (1) FRERE JACQUES blotted his copybook when last seen but had legitimate excuses on that occasion. He can improve on his reappearance with the tongue-tie removed but will be hard to beat at this level if bouncing back to his earlier form.
Last-start winner (5) TRACKSUIT DAVE, recent runner-up (10) ELUSIVE RED and the consistent (11) UBERMENSCH should be competitive on recent form.

