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Vaal Picks - Tuesday, 24 September

Racecourse : Vaal Picture: goldcircle.co.za

Race 1
Race Summary: CAT O'CLOCK tried 1400m last time and ran a fair race, finishing second. She looks well placed to open her account after a string of decent efforts. BLACK HOLE SUN may be a six-year-old and having her 17th start but is also holding form and should again make her presence felt. Interestingly, ON A JET PLANE was fitted with blinkers on debut and after showing good toe faded. She is well bred and can only improve. PLUM BLOSSOM has run well in a similar contest and can't be discounted.

Selections:
#1 Cat O'Clock, #2 Black Hole Sun, #5 On A Jet Plane, #3 Plum Blossom

Race 2
Race Summary: There are well bred first timers in the hunt and the betting market should be a good guide as to their chances. If KAROO GOLD is anywhere near ready he could finally open his account. He has gone close behind some decent individuals but is dropping in distance. GOOD TO GREAT is a lightly raced sort that made marked improvement in his second start. He should appreciate the extra and is bred for even further. KALEESH CYBORG was beaten in a close finish on debut and looks a bit better than his last run which was his first try round the turn. More can improve.

Selections:
#1 Karoo Gold, #3 Good To Great, #8 Kaleesh Cyborg, #6 Chariot Of Fire

Race 3
Race Summary: WINDS OF CHANGE is back and having shown himself to be one of the best around in Grade 1 contests should be difficult to oppose back in maiden company. The Azzie yard are also sending out some well-bred first timers in HUEHUETENANGO and ALESIAN BEAU who could be worth following. PURSUIT OF FAME and SOLAR SAIL should be in the fight for minor money.

Selections:
#1 Winds Of Change, #9 Huehuetenango, #2 Pursuit Of Fame, #3 Solar Sail

Race 4
Race Summary: FAITHFUL MISTRESS has a good deal of stamina in her pedigree and yet turned in a fair performance on her debut over this distance. She can only improve and should run well. SHAKE IT wasn't disgraced on her debut when beaten just over six lengths in what looked a competitive affair. If ready after a break she could be dangerous. It doesn't end there, all three first-timers have decent pedigrees and need to be watched.

Selections:
#5 Faithful Mistress, #6 Shake It, #2 Anne Of Denmark, #4 Explosive Gift

Race 5
Race Summary: OPEN HIGHWAY won well when upped in division. He could have more to come still. ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES put in a gallant effort last time when only just missing out on first prize. It would be great if he gets his confidence boosted. BLACK EGRET found one better in OPEN HIGHWAY in his last start. With a weight turnaround he could make things a lot tougher. RAINBOW REWARD had to overcome a wide draw when running around the turn last time out. He is back up the straight and could make his presence felt. FIRE 'N FLAMES is capable of popping up.

Selections:
#5 Open Highway, #4 Rollwiththepunches, #2 Black Egret, #8 Rainbow Reward

Race 6
Race Summary: An exciting race featuring up-and-coming three-year-olds. KARATE KID confirmed the promise of his debut when following up with a victory over a decent sort. BLAZE A WAY fits a similar profile in that he made a fair debut and went on to win well. If not in need of the run he can pass this tougher assignment. JOHNNY APPLESEED showed his true ability second time out with an easy win and could be hard to peg back again. ALONE TIME beat weaker but won in good style and could be the dark horse. AXEL COLLINS should be up there.

Selections:
#1 Karate Kid, #5 Blaze A Way, #3 Johnny Appleseed, #4 Alone Time

Race 7
Race Summary: EIGER SANCTION is in hot form and is looking to complete a hat trick of wins. He looks well placed again for a stable in good form. DUAL PROPHECY wasn't disgraced in his first post maiden outing and can make more improvement. DIESEL'S SHADOW was stepped up in trip and could only manage 5th that time. He deserves another go and could pose a threat in this. FUSHIMI INARI gave signs he could be in the fray soon if judged on his penultimate start. MASTER TIK TOK could find himself in the money again.

Selections:
#3 Eiger Sanction, #2 Dual Prophecy, #1 Diesel's Shadow, #4 Fushimi Inari

Race 8
Race Summary: WILD INTENT could be anything. He won his debut as he liked and if enjoying the extra could be the one to catch. He is meeting some tough campaigners, however. GIMMEACHOICE is knocking hard at the door and could go all the way now dropping in distance. HAPPY MO is another with some strong form. She sprinted up well last time and could get back to winning ways over the extra. CALIDA is getting there and could be in the firing line with a light weight. CAPTAINOFTHEGREEN is racing after a rest but is capable and must be watched.

Selections:
#5 Wild Intent, #4 Gimmeachoice, #1 Happy Mo, #2 Captainofthegreen

Best Win: #1 WINDS OF CHANGE                                         
Best Value Bet: #1 KAROO GOLD                                            
Best Longshot: #1 KAROO GOLD