1

4 HIGHER LOVE   7 SAUDI SWEEP   5 WHATASTAR   6 WINDING POWER

Summary: HIGHER LOVE (4) has improved recently on the poly and was narrowly beaten last outing from a wide draw. SAUDI SWEEP (7) was disappointing on the Scottsville turf last start after three promising efforts for her new stable. WHATASTAR (5) makes her local debut. Her recent Cape form has been over further but she looks capable of big improvement. WINDING POWER (6) showed some improvement last run and has a useful claiming apprentice aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-5-6).

2

7 SKYLINE BELL   1 PRAISE DE LA REY   2 SKIPPER O’MALLEY   3 DREAM DECISION

Summary: SKYLINE BELL (7) made marked improvement at just her second outing, both runs in the soft. She makes her poly debut but can show further improvement. PRAISE DE LA REY (1) is showing steady improvement and appears to have come to hand. SKIPPER O’MALLEY (2) finished narrowly ahead of Skyline Bell when they met but she is well exposed and one can expect further improvement from her younger rival. DREAM DECISION (3) is lightly raced and has not been far back at her last two. The step up in distance could suit. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-2-3).

3

11 BLACK PLATINA   12 LEVITATOR   10 TAKEYOURBESTSHOT   5 ROCK ME BABY

Summary: BLACK PLATINA (11) goes well over course and distance and should be involved in the finish. LEVITATOR (12) has the widest draw. He steps up in trip but is back on his preferred surface. TAKEYOURBESTSHOT (10) is overdue a win. However, he has been rested and has draw 10 out of 10 for the fourth consecutive time. ROCK ME BABY (5) showed some improvement with first time blinkers and the step up in trip could suit. (Andrew Harrison: 11-12-10-5).

4

1 RAHHABBA   2 HAPPY FORTUNE   3 YOUR LADYSHIP   6 DE VLUGGE

Summary: RAHHABBA (1) has come well at her last two since arriving in KZN. She has the best of the draw in what is a competitive handicap. HAPPY FORTUNE’S (2) last two win have been over the trip including one over course and distance. She is in good form and Rachel Venniker’s allowance will help her cause. DE VLUGGE (6) is seldom out of the money and switches to the poly. She should put in another forward showing. YOUR LADYSHIP (3) has been up and down in distance but showed up well last run over shorter and Callan Murray stays aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-3-6).

5

7 AMAFORT   8 MYSTIQUE ROUGE   1 IZIBULO   6 STRUTTING

Summary: AMAFORT (7) is overdue and has run two promising races over course and distance at recent starts. MYSTIQUE ROUGE (8) was a close-up second behind IZIBULO (1) last time out. She is now 1kg better off in the handicap and can turn the tables. STRUTTING (6) was a recent maiden winner but has shown some potential. However, she does shoulder top weight. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-1-6).

6

 9 QUEUE WING    1 WILD AT WAR   6 CLEVER TREVOR   5 FUTURE FLO

Summary:  QUEUE WING (9) has been in good form since being tried in blinkers. His last two have been over further but he has gone close over course and distance and has a handy galloping weight. CLEVER TREVOR (6) is lightly raced and has had one sprint since arriving from the Highveld. He can come on from that. WILD AT WAR (1) won over the distance last time out and has gone close on the poly. He should feature again from the best of the draw. FUTURE FLO (5) steps up in trip and is a solid handicapper. (Andrew Harrison: 9-1-6-5).

7

9 UNITED NATION    3 UMZINGELI WENYATHI    1 GOOD TRAVELLER   4 JET LEGACY

Summary: UNITED NATION (9) is unbeaten in four starts on the poly. Darryl Moore looks to have picked the right race for five on the bounce as he carries a handy weight. UMZINGELI WENYATHI (3) won first up on the poly and has only once finished out of the money in nine starts. GOOD TRAVELLER (1) loves the poly and got up to win narrowly last run. He may prefer it a furlong further. JET LEGACY (4) won his last two over the trip in the Scottsville turf and is back on the poly in good form. (Andrew Harrison: 9-3-1-4).

8

1 ACACIA’S BLOSSOM   5 ROCK MUSIC   6 ULTRA QUICK   7 INDECENT PROPOSAL

Summary: Tough race to close. ACACIA’S BLOSSOM (1) has dropped in trip at her last two and went close over course and distance at her penultimate start. A repeat effort could see her home. ROCK MUSIC (5) was a recent maiden winner on the Highveld. He has been showing steady improvement and now faces some well exposed older handicappers. ULTRA QUICK (6) has been racing over a little further but with De Melo staying aboard it may have been the advice to try shorter. INDECENT PROPOSAL (7) is in good form over course and distance. He has a slightly better draw this time around. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-6-7).

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Huntingdon and Southwell (UK) 5 February 2026.

David Thiselton

A MR 100 handicap over 1600m is the main race of the Vaal Classic track eight race meeting today and Wayne looks the one to beat

This Lucky Houdalakis-trained Vercingetorix gelding won his second start over 1400m, beating the promising Jaffa, and he followed up with an easy win over 1475m. He disappointed last time in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m, but he had a wide draw and was up against some of the country’s best three-year-olds. Interestingly, the only horse he beat home in that race, his stablemate Agoge, came out and won next time out. Wayne should relish the step up in trip as he out of an unraced Tiger Ridge daughter of Fort Wood mare Carolina Cherry, who won the Gold Circle Oaks. Wayne sneaks into the handicap carrying the minimum weight and has drawn 4 out 7 runners with Muzi Yeni up. Birthright has disappointed in his last two starts and has a wide draw, but he’ll appreciate the step back up in trip to 1600m meters and he is off a competitive mark. Hopefully he can overcome the draw to get into a handy to front-running position. Tenjiku has been a bit disappointing lately, but he now has Craig Zackey aboard and could bounce back. Beynac is capable of a good performance and Callan Murray up gives him a chance. Player is capable of earning on his day. Hotarubi is talented but frustratingly unreliable. However, he has his 3rd run for Chris Jonker and the change of environment could perhaps help him.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, Indian Spice has improved with blinkers and gets a good opportunity to prevail here over an ideal trip from a good draw of three. Smuggler ran fifth, beaten 5,40 lengths, when stepped up to 1600m second time out and as the winner was the talented Agoge he could have the ability to earn here, although on the downside he has a tough draw of nine. Millennium Warrior was 2,30 lengths behind Smuggler in that race and could possibly earn here. Palace Guard has shown enough to able to earn here. Underdog and Terrence are others to consider for places.

In the second leg, a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares, Future Date is a progressive sort and can overcome a four point raise for her good win last time as she is thriving over middle distances and has a good draw. Futura’s progeny are capable of continual improvement. Dimako’s Jet beat Future Date the last time they met and is now 1kg better off, so has the latter held on paper, but Future Date strikes as one who is on the up and she can defy that form. Art Nouveau is 1.5kg better off with Future Date for a one length beating. Boom Boom has the potential to be a runner here as she is distance suited and has a fair draw. Todoque could be dangerous from pole position.

In the fifth race over 1800m Duchess Of Paloma has caught the eye lately as one with plenty of scope and she has a fine chance from pole position. Lady Blunt is in cracking form and will love this trip so can go close from draw five. Rosy Lemon is another one who could have a shout as she is admirably consistent especially against her own gender. Kensal Green was thrashed by Duchess Of Paloma last October, but has run two good races since and can’t be ignored.  Chickasaw and Surprise Party are hard to ignore.

In the seventh over 1450m Peregrine Falcon is knocking hard and could earn over a suitable trip if able to overcome a draw. Monkey Puzzle has shown enough to be able to earn in this line up. Longsword is capable of a strong finish and could be in the shake up. Gulf Of America won well in the maidens and the form has been franked. Never Never Land won well last time and Gavin Lerena stays up off a three point higher mark.

In the eighth over 1000m Precocious, who had some fair form in Cape Town, won well last time and can follow up off an 86 merit rating. Magic Carpet Ride is capable of a much better showing than her last two and can bounce back over the minimum trip. Blindfire has pace and with a 1,5kg claimer up has a chance here.

In the first over 1800m Falconfly should relish the step up in trip and can go close from draw 2.

In the second over 1600m Utsaah will be hard to beat if repeating her last performance, which was the first time she had run in blinkers.

RACE 1

6 FALCONFLY 2 ANNEWITHANE 5 SKY PILLAR ROCK 1 PEACE TREATY

Preview: 6 FALCONFLY ran well first time out the maidens and will enjoy this step up in trip. 2 ANNEWITHAN E  is in fine form and should be in the shake up from pole position. 5 SKY PILLAR ROCK is capable of better than last time and will enjoy the slight step down in trip but does have a tricky draw. 1 PEACE TREATY is in good form and should be involved in the finish. (David Thiselton 6-2-5-1)

RACE 2

1 UTSAAH 2 MADE TO MEASURE 7 GREENSIDE GIRL 5 COOL REGGAE

Preview: 1 UTSAAH has improved and should go one better than last time. 2 MADE TO MEASURE has shown some ability and could earn here. 7 GREENSIDE GIRL has not been disgraced in two starts and could earn a cheque here. 5 COOL REGGAE is moderate but has a chance to earn in this line up. (David Thiselton 1-2-7-5)

RACE 3

1 INDIAN SPICE 9 SMUGGLER 2 MILLENNIUM WARRIOR 3 PALACE GUARD

Preview: 1 INDIAN SPICE has shown enough to be able to have a winning chance in this uninspiring line up. 9 SMUGGLER ran a decent race behind a promising sort second time out and has a chance. 2 MILLENNIUM WARRIOR was not far behind Smuggler last time. 3 PALACE GUARD has not been disgraced in three starts and can earn here. (David Thiselton 1-9-2-3)

RACE 4

1 FUTURE DATE 2 DIMAKO’S JET 5 ART NOUVEAU 7 BOOM BOOM

Preview: 1 FUTURE DATE is a progressive sort and can overcome a four point raise for her good win last time. 2 DIMAKO’S JET beat Future Date the last time they met and is now 1kg better off but the latter would have improved since. 5 ART NOUVEAU is 1.5kg better off with Future Date for a one length beating. 7 BOOM BOOM has the potential to be a runner here but the wide draw is a concern. (David Thiselton 1-2-5-7)

RACE 5

4 DUCHESS OF PALOMA 2 LADY BLUNT 8 ROSY LEMON

Preview: 4 DUCHESS OF PALOMA is a progressive sort who can win again. 2 LADY BLUNT is in cracking form and will love this trip. 8 ROSY LEMON is an admirable sort who is always capable of earning a cheque. (David Thiselton 4-2-8)

RACE 6

8 WAYNE 1 MONEY HEIST 6 BIRTHRIGHT

Preview: 8 WAYNE disappointed last time but showed plenty of ability before that and can bounce back. 1 MONEY HEIST has the ability to be a contender here from a fair draw and a 4kg claimer relieves the 63kg he has to carry. 6 BIRTHRIGHT has plenty of ability and and can earn here if able to overcome a wide draw. (David Thiselton 8-3-1-6)

RACE 7

6 PEREGRINE FALCON 4 MONKEY PUZZLE 3 LONGSWORD

Preview: 6 PEREGRINE FALCON is knocking hard and could earn over a suitable trip if able to overcome a draw. 4 MONKEY PUZZLE has shown enough to be able to earn in this line up. 3 LONGSWORD is capable of a strong finish and could be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 6-4-3)

RACE 8

1 PRECOCIOUS 3 MAGIC CARPET RIDE 5 BLINDFIRE

Preview: 1 PRECOCIOUS won well last time and can follow up off an 86 merit rating. 3 MAGIC CARPET RIDE is capable of a much better than last time and can bounce back. 5 BLINDFIRE with likely give it and has an outside chance. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-5)