# Vaal Classic Thursday 21 September 2023 – Comments by David Thiselton
RACE 1
Preview: LIFE LESSON (8 ) has run two decent races over 1200m in her last two and now from a good draw she should enjoy the step up in trip. LORNA LILY has come to hand and is distance suited. MOCHA MACAROON’s (5) best performance was over this course and distance, but she does have a tough draw. (David Thiselton 8-1-5)
RACE 2
Preview: ARABIAN RED (11) is unexposed and enjoyed the step up to 1600m last time so should handle the extra 200m. MOUNT ETNA (9) has a wide draw but should enjoy this trip and has the form to be involved. CITY LIGHTS (7) has a good opportunity to get off the mark and has a chance of staying the trip being by July and SA Derby winner Pomodoro, although her Fort Beluga dam was a sprinter and her full sister was never tried beyond 1600m at which she only had one attempt and finished a well beaten third. (David Thiselton 11-9-7)
RACE 3
Preview: PERFECT WITNESS (5) is joint best weighted together with Ipso Facto, who has not raced since May, and she is well drawn over the trip of her last win. RAFFLES (2) is talented and has the ability to run on well over this trip so has a chance from a good draw despite officially being 3kg under sufferance with the best weighted pair. DESTINY OF SOULS (4) is 3,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted and is drawn wide but she does look tgo have come into her own. (David Thiselton 5-2-4)
RACE 4
Preview: PRIMROSE PATH (1) is in fine form but has a tricky draw and a four point raise for her last win to overcome. LADY ELLIOT (3) is drawn in pole and can make a bold bid under Muzi Yeni having not been disgraced in her first start out the maiden. MEMORIAL DAY (9) was way under sufferance last time so can be forgiven that effort and off a competitive merit rating she has the ability to be involved although she will have to bounce back to form. (David Thiselton 1-3-9)
RACE 5
Preview: AVOONTOAST (2) is well regarded and from a good draw should be right there over a course and distance that has a long straight and that is what she needs. LADY CALAVERA (4) can be involved if repeating her last start which was also over this course and distance and was also from a good draw. KEY ELEMENT (8 ) was a bit disappointing last time but has the ability to be a player. (David Thiselton 2-4-8 )
RACE 6
Preview: MESCAL (3) went close in his penultimate start over this trip and is drawn in pole. DREAMLAND (5) impressed in his last start as a juvenile over 1200m at Scottsville but he hasn’t run for three months and has to overcome a merit rating of 90. BACK TO BASICS (6) has improved into a fair sort but he has a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 3-5-6)
RACE 7
Preview: BRAVE VIKING (6) is talented sort who is well drawn here over an ideal trip. FREE MOVEMENT (9) finished a neck behind Scallywag in the maidens over this trip and despite having won twice since he is 5kg better off with Scallywag so from a fair draw of five he must have a chance. FUNKY MUSIC (7) has transformed in this yard and over an ideal trip he can try and make it four in a row and five wins in six starts, although he does have to overcome a seven point raise. SCALLYWAG (3) has been in fine form on the Highveld and is 1,5kg better off with Funky Music for a one length beating but he does have a tough draw. WHAT A HONEY (4) has been in fine form from 1200m to 1400m and is drawn in pole but it is never easy against the boys and she two point raise to overcome for second last time. BONIKA (5) disappointed in her first start on the Highveld but is drawn well here and had some good form in the strong centre of Cape Town so if bring her best she has a chance. (David Thiselton 6-9-7-3-4-5)
RACE 8
Preview: INNER SENSE (2) is well drawn and should make a bold bid over a trip which should suit her front-running style. WRITTEN IN STONE (8 ) has plenty of ability and does not have to be covered up as he likes to use his big stride so a wide draw should not be a big problem but he is seldom ridden to suit his style. MEET THE CAPTAIN (6) has fair recent form and is a tentative choice for second in an open race as she does have a good draw over a suitable trip. David Thiselton 2-8-6)
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