Vaal Classic Thursday 22 January – Comments by David Thiselton

PUBLISHED: 21 January 2026

Race 1

 

3 BLOOD OF EDEN 2 REECE’S WISH 1 KORTVANDRAAD 5 MASTER’S ROSE

 

Preview: 3 BLOOD OF EDEN is knocking hard and can get it right here over an ideal trip. 2 REECE’S WISH has been second in all three starts and is a big runner again. 1 KORTVANDRAAD has been thereabouts in last three and is capable of earning. 5 MASTER’S ROSE can earn if repeating last start. (David Thiselton 3-2-1-5)

 

Race 2

 

9 GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT 11 KNOWMORE 3 UNDERDOG 1 PALACE GUARD

 

Preview: 9 GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT made a good debut and will go close with expected improvement. 11 KNOWMORE improved second time out and can progress again. 3 UNDERDOG went close last Thursday and is getting the hang of it. 1 PALACE GUARD has shown some signs of ability and can earn here (David Thiselton 9-11-3-1)

 

Race 3

 

12 ASIAH’S TIARA 5 KAVOMOLKA 7 EMERALD CITY 11 VIXENINTHEVINEYARD

 

Preview: 12 ASIAH’S TIARA has been knocking on the door and gets a fine chance from a good draw here. 5 KAVOMOLKA has been right there in his last two starts and should enjoy the slight step up in trip. 7 EMERALD CITY will enjoy the step back up in trip and can earn here. 11 VIXENINTHEVINEYARD improved when stepped up to 1600m and is interesting stepped up in trip again. (12-5-7-11)

 

Race 4

 

3 FUTURE DATE 7 BOOM BOOM 9 BACK FROM WAR 8 AZALEAS FOR ALL

Preview: 3 FUTURE DATE has to handle a two point raise for a second last time but is progressive and will enjoy this trip from a fair draw. 7 BOOM BOOM has been coming into her own and will enjoy this trip. 9 BACK FROM WAR has a better draw than last time and can reverse for with Azaleas For All. 8 AZALEAS FOR ALL beat Back From War by 1,3 lengths over 1800m last time but now has a wider draw. (David Thiselton 3-7-9-8)

 

Race 5

 

7 HUBERTUS HUNT 4 GRACE’S KISS 1 LADY BLUNT 5 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID

 

Preview: 7 HUBERTUS HUNT won well last time out over 1800m and this progressive sort should enjoy the step up trip and is off a reasonable mark. 4 GRACE’S KISS has had two good runs outside the maidens and has a chance here. 1 LADY BLUNT has a chance of staying this trip on pedigree and should be in the shake up from pole position. 5 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID went close over this trip last week but does have a tough draw. (David Thiselton 7-4-1-5)

 

Race 6

 

2 MAX THE MAGICIAN 4 SECRET CHORD 5 ESQUEVELLE

 

Preview: 2 MAX THE MAGICIAN has been in fine form over further but should take well to a sprint trip from a good draw. 4 SECRET CHORD is talented and deserves to be a 95 merit rating but does have a tricky draw and his highest mark for a win has been 86. 5 ESQUEVELLE has been in good form and can earn again with a 4kg claimer up. (David Thiselton 2-4-5)

 

Race 7

 

3 PRESSONREGARDLESS 2 TIN PAN ALLEY 1 GREATERIX 7 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE

 

Preview: 3 PRESSONREGARDLESS is a classy sort who won a Listed feature over 1600m in fine style last time and his big action could help him follow up. 2 TIN PAN ALLEY has proven class and should go close over an ideal trip, although the wide draw is a concern. 1 GREATERIX looks ideally distance suited but he needs to bounce back to his classy self and a wide draw does not help. 7 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE could earn from a good draw over a suitable trip. (David Thiselton 3-2-1-7)

 

Race 8

 

7 LAST CAR TO PASS 11 ARASHI 3 CEUTA

 

Preview: 7 LAST CAR TO PASS has been reliable lately and can earn again over an ideal trip from a good draw. 11 ARASHI is distance suited and well drawn and could be in the shake up. 3 CEUTA bounced back with a fine run to a good sort last time and Craig Zackey is an eye-catching booking. (David Thiselton 7-11-3)

 

Race 9

 

2 PLAY WITH THE WIND 7 FAIR PROPOSAL 1 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN

 

Preview: 2 PLAY WITH THE WIND looks to have plenty of scope and should start progressing. 7 FAIR PROPOSAL ran a cracker last time over course and distance and Zackey should help overcome the tricky draw. 1 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN disappointed last time but on some of her earlier form she could earn, although she has a tough draw. (David Thiselton 2-7-1)