Winning Form selections for racing from the Vaal on Thursday 24th July where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter @Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge

 

 

 

Race 1 

TRAIL RUNNER stayed on at the finish when fourth over this distance at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time. She would have come on from the run and should strip much fitter. Gavin Lerena retains the ride, and the combination should find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. 

FIRE STARTER is better than his last start over 1600m at Turffontein. It must be noted that multiple horses from that form line have come out and won since. He has been gelded which may have done the trick, and good improvement is expected. 

EMPRESS WU has finished second in her last four starts. She finished third in her only C&D attempt. Another honest run is expected. 

Race 2

The tentative first selection is TRIP TO STATES from the Chris Jonker stable. He found one too good in the form of Tommy Shelby last time. He steps up to 1600m and if seeing out the extra distance on offer, he may be the one to beat in this field. 

CODEWORD almost caused an upset over 1800m last time. 4kgs claiming apprentice Girish Samo-Burthia retains the ride and if confirming her recent improvement, she should pose a threat. 

JOHNNY DRAMA ran a fair race when fourth over 1400m last time. On best form shown, he should be involved at the finish. He is carded to race on 17 July 2025 and his progress in that race will need to be monitored.

Race 3

WAR REPORTER moved up well over 1800m last time before getting outrun late by Rosy Lemon. He won his only attempt over this C&D. Calvin Habib retains the ride, and he can go one better. 

LAUGHING WILLIAM showed massive improvement when second over 1400m at Turffontein last time. He set the pace and tried hard all the way to the line. Gavin Lerena rides and he may be able to coax that little bit extra out of him where it matters most. 

UNSOLVED RIDDLE ran a fair race over this distance on the Turffontein Inside course last time. He won his only attempt over this C&D. He is carded to race on 19 July 2025 and his progress in that race will need to be monitored. 

Race 4

BOSUM BUDDY‘S last start is best ignored as she was reported to be not striding out. It must be noted that Thisiswhatitmeans has come out and won again since. She has won on this course previously. If putting her best foot forward, she can notch up her second-career victory. 

KIA KAHA was outrun late over this distance on the Turffontein Inside course last time. She meets a similar field and merits healthy respect. 

COSMIC QUEEN finished 0.8 lengths behind the second selection last time. The pair meet on the same weight terms today and there should not be much separating them at the finish.

 

 

Race 5

ALONE TIME finished 1.1 lengths behind FALCON STRIKE last time. He is 1.5kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. Piere Strydom is booked to ride and he may be able to get the best out of him where it matters most. 

FALCON STRIKE won a good race over this distance last time. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. He is in a good space and should be right there. 

PEREGRINE FALCON returns from a 16-week break and is having his first run for Trainer Fabian Habib. He is a horse with scope and on his Handicap debut, he would not be a shock winner.

Race 6

ARTIC SILVER took on stronger in her last start over 1800m at Turffontein. She finished third in her penultimate run over this distance at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She won her only attempt on this course and with Gavin Lerena back in the saddle, she may be the horse to side with. 

CARTAGENA is a winner of her last three starts. She took the lead at the 400m mark last time and won with ease. She is in a good space and merits healthy respect. 

RAINY SEASON set the pace over this C&D last time, but found one too good in the form of Nuclear Force. He jumps from a good draw of three and must be included in all bets. 

Race 7

The tentative first selection is SNEAK PREVIEW from the Lucky Houdalakis stable. She is better than her last three starts suggest. She has won once and finished third once from four starts over this distance. Gavin Lerena is booked to ride and in this field, she can find a form return. 

HAT FURIOUS had excuses in his last start over 1800m. The Erico Verdonese stable is in fine form and the son of Hat Puntano can show good improvement in this field. 

STOP THE TRAFFIC is better than his recent form suggests. He continues to drop in the ratings and can improve to finish in the placings.

Race 8

LADY LOXTON ran a decent race in her first outing on the Highveld. She raced from a prominent position and stayed on to finish fourth. She takes a drop in class and with luck in running, she should be involved at the finish. 

RED AMBER takes on older rivals. She was running on when third over 1400m at Turffontein last time. Gavin Lerena retains the ride and if jumping on terms, she should throw out a big challenge to the top choice. 

GOLDEN ASPEN was a tad disappointing over 1160m last time. She has won once and finished third twice from seven starts over this C&D. If finding the form of her penultimate run, she should feature

 

 

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