Vaal Race 1

4Racing Welcomes You Progress Plate

Prize Money: $12,637

ARISTOTLE (1) is the clear top selection. Too tough last time here over 1800m and looks suited out further in journey. This no harder and can get the job done again. BAKWENA (6) was no match for ARISTOTLE but was fractious before the race. Kept coming after giving away a big start. Goes well here and extra trip a plus. Definite danger. KUDZU (3) finished sixth over a mile over the weekend and on the quick back-up. Extra trip a plus. Sure to be about the money. CHESTNUT BOMBER (4) has not won for a long while. Last raced on January 8 when beaten 10 lengths into sixth at this track over 1800m. Suitably placed so anticipating a bold performance.

Distance: 2000m
Class: PPLTE
Track: Good
Weather: Clear
Surface: Turf

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Aristotle (1) x3922x4041
Trainer: Alec Laird(South Africa)
Jockey: Calvin Habib
Weight: 61kg
Prize Money: $42,925
Win / Place: 23% / 61%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: RAFEEF (AUS)

Dam: ATHINA (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Fort Wood (Usa)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

13: 3-4-1

Track

1: 1-0-0

Season

4: 1-0-0

1st Up

4: 1-1-1

2nd Up

4: 1-0-0

3rd Up

3: 0-2-0

4th Up

2: 1-1-0

Metro

11: 1-4-1

Non-Metro

2: 2-0-0

Turf

13: 3-4-1

Good

12: 3-4-1

Soft

1: 0-0-0

Clockwise

8: 1-2-1

Anti-Clockwise

5: 2-2-0

Handicap Rating

106

Jockey Stats

Horse

4: 1-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1200m - 1800m

Gear Changes

Comments

Racing well recently. At the latest run won by a head at this track January 24 over 1800m defeating Pioneer Square with 55.5kg at $13.50. Before that 4th of 8 at Turffontein Standside on December 16 over 1400m, 4 len behind One Eye On Vegas carrying 60kg at $17. Too tough last time here over 1800m and looks suited out further in journey. This no harder and can get the job done again.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 10	24/1/26	Vaal	1800m	HCP	2	Calvin Habib	55.5kg	Good	1:50.83	58.5 km/h	0.2L	-	$14	39	$21,061	$12,505	1. Aristotle 2. Pioneer Square 3. Willy Meet Again
39 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 8	16/12/25	Turffontein	1400m	GPLATE	8	Calvin Habib	60kg	Good	1:24.24	59.8 km/h	4.0L	-	$17	45	$10,952	$520	1. One Eye On Vegas 2. Elegantrix 3. Shadowfax
45 Day Freshen-Up
14th of 16	1/11/25	Turffontein	1600m	G2 HCP	8	Kaidan Brewer	54kg	Y	1:40.49	57.3 km/h	21.3L	-	$17	28	$84,246	-	1. Atticus Finch 2. Callmegetrix 3. Rodeo Drive
4th of 10	4/10/25	Turffontein	1200m	GPLATE	6	Calvin Habib	60kg	Good	1:13.36	58.9 km/h	1.9L	-	$6.00	175	$8,425	$400	1. Miami Mountain 2. Charming Cheetah 3. Zalatoris
175 Day Spell
2nd of 6	12/4/25	Turffontein	1400m	GPLATE	5	Calvin Habib	60kg	Good	1:25.63	58.9 km/h	1.8L	-	$2.40f	21	$13,960	$2,700	1. Royal Force 2. Aristotle 3. Grand Crescendo
2nd of 7	22/3/25	Turffontein	1600m	GPLATE	2	K Matsunyane	60kg	Good Soft	1:39.71	57.8 km/h	0.3L	-	$2.10f	21	$11,340	$2,200	1. Kamensky 2. Aristotle 3. Too Late My Mate

Hotarubi (5) 6x06060264
Trainer: Chris Jonker()
Jockey: Ryan Munger
Weight: 60.5kg
Prize Money: $62,722
Win / Place: 5.88% / 35%

Quick Back Up

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: VERCINGETORIX (SAF)

Dam: HANABI (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Var (Usa)

Rating

Stats

Career

34: 2-6-4

Distance

6: 0-1-1

Track

9: 1-3-0

Season

10: 0-1-1

1st Up

4: 0-1-0

2nd Up

4: 1-0-1

3rd Up

4: 0-1-0

4th Up

4: 0-1-1

Metro

25: 1-3-4

Non-Metro

9: 1-3-0

Turf

34: 2-6-4

Good

31: 2-6-3

Soft

3: 0-0-1

Clockwise

34: 2-6-4

Handicap Rating

100

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1450m - 2400m

Gear Changes

A BT

Comments

Most recently 4th of 7 at this track on February 5 over 1600m, 4.5 len behind Birthright carrying 56kg at $34. The start before that 6th of 9 at this track on January 22 over 1450m, 9 len behind Tin Pan Alley with 50kg at $15. Yet to score in six tries in this trip but has minor claims.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 7	5/2/26	Vaal	1600m	HCP	1	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	56kg	Good	1:36.40	59.8 km/h	4.4L	-	$34	14	$13,058	$620	1. Birthright 2. Wayne 3. Money Heist
6th of 9	22/1/26	Vaal	1450m	OPEN	1	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	50kg	Good	1:24.37	61.9 km/h	9.0L	-	$15	5	$16,849	-	1. Tin Pan Alley 2. Money Heist 3. Bob's Your Uncle
2nd of 4	17/1/26	Vaal	1700m	PLATE	3	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	54.5kg	Good	1:43.12	59.3 km/h	1.8L	-	$3.50	28	$12,637	$2,401	1. Taegan's Champ 2. Hotarubi 3. Bristol Hercules
18th of 21	20/12/25	Vaal	1475m	HCP	11	Trent Mayhew	59.5kg	Good	1:26.14	61.6 km/h	9.0L	-	$101	9	$42,123	-	1. Mastership 2. Rollo The Viking 3. Bob's Your Uncle
6th of 6	11/12/25	Vaal	1500m	OPEN	6	Jeffery Syster	52kg	Good	1:28.91	60.7 km/h	5.2L	-	$41	12	$16,849	-	1. Argo Alley 2. Texas Red 3. Musical Score
12th of 14	29/11/25	Turffontein	2000m	CUP	5	Rachel Venniker	56kg	Y	2:06.31	57.0 km/h	28.7L	-	$51	28	$25,274	-	1. Aladdin's Lamp 2. Field Marshal 3. Soldier's Eye

Kudzu (4) 164x334656
Trainer: J A Janse Van Vuuren()
Jockey: Craig Zackey
Weight: 57kg
Prize Money: $22,960
Win / Place: 10% / 50%

Quick Back Up

5 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: FLOWER ALLEY (USA)

Dam: HEADSTRONG (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Pivotal (Gb)

Rating

Stats

Career

20: 2-5-3

Distance

3: 1-0-1

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

7: 0-2-1

Season

6: 0-0-2

1st Up

5: 0-3-1

2nd Up

4: 0-1-2

3rd Up

4: 1-0-0

4th Up

4: 1-1-0

Metro

13: 2-3-2

Non-Metro

7: 0-2-1

Turf

20: 2-5-3

Good

18: 2-5-3

Soft

2: 0-0-0

Clockwise

20: 2-5-3

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 0-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1600m - 2000m

Gear Changes

Comments

Two back 5th of 7 at Turffontein Standside on January 1 over 1600m, 3 len behind Grand Empire with 54.5kg at $7. Has since finished sixth over a mile there over the weekend and on the quick back-up. Extra trip a plus. Sure to be about the money.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 9	7/2/26	Turffontein	1600m	RBH84	3	Craig Zackey	60kg	Good	1:38.21	58.6 km/h	6.5L	-	$8.00	37	$10,530	-	1. Errol Flynn 2. Trombolines 3. Winston's Wonder
37 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 7	1/1/26	Turffontein	1600m	HCP	3	Keagan De Melo	54.5kg	Good	1:40.13	57.5 km/h	3.3L	-	$7.00	30	$12,637	$300	1. Grand Empire 2. Max The Magician 3. Pioneer Square
6th of 14	2/12/25	Turffontein	1800m	HCP	10	Gavin Lerena	60kg	Soft	1:53.31	57.2 km/h	5.4L	-	$4.50f	12	$10,531	-	1. Diesel's Shadow 2. Flashy Apache 3. Robert Browning
4th of 9	20/11/25	Vaal	2000m	OPEN	6	S'manga Khumalo	54kg	Y	2:03.49	58.3 km/h	4.8L	-	$3.50f	21	$13,479	$640	1. Dance King 2. Douglas Dragon 3. Battleground
3rd of 9	30/10/25	Turffontein	2000m	HCP	7	S'manga Khumalo	55.5kg	Good	2:05.47	57.4 km/h	3.5L	-	$9.50	40	$10,952	$1,040	1. The Ultimate King 2. Read All About It 3. Kudzu
40 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 9	20/9/25	Turffontein	1600m	OPEN	7	S'manga Khumalo	54kg	Good	1:37.32	59.2 km/h	3.0L	-	$11	107	$11,370	$1,080	1. Max The Magician 2. Potberrie 3. Kudzu
107 Day Spell

Chestnut Bomber (2) 87x4553576
Trainer: J A Janse Van Vuuren()
Jockey: Muzi Yeni
Weight: 56.5kg
Prize Money: $22,601
Win / Place: 11% / 33%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: LANCASTER BOMBER (USA)

Dam: CHESTNUTS N PEARLS (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Horse Chestnut

Rating

Stats

Career

18: 2-2-2

Distance

3: 0-0-1

Track

3: 0-0-1

Season

7: 0-0-1

1st Up

3: 0-0-1

2nd Up

3: 0-1-0

3rd Up

3: 2-0-0

4th Up

2: 0-0-1

Metro

15: 2-2-1

Non-Metro

3: 0-0-1

Turf

18: 2-2-2

Good

16: 2-2-2

Soft

2: 0-0-0

Clockwise

18: 2-2-2

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1600m - 2000m

Gear Changes

Comments

Comes off a 33 day let-up. Most recently ran last in a small field at this track on January 8 over 1800m, 10 len behind Gerbera with 59kg at $11. The race before that 7th of 10 at this track on December 11 over 1800m, 4 len behind Hawkbill carrying 59kg at $6. Cannot be ruled out despite a lacklustre effort last time. Extra trip suits.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 6	8/1/26	Vaal	1800m	GPLATE	5	Keagan De Melo	59kg	Good	1:48.65	59.6 km/h	10.5L	-	$11	28	$10,952	-	1. Gerbera 2. Copper Eagle 3. Read All About It
7th of 10	11/12/25	Vaal	1800m	HCP	1	Keagan De Melo	59kg	Good	1:51.92	57.9 km/h	3.9L	-	$6.00	12	$12,637	-	1. Hawkbill 2. Vesuvio 3. Jordan
5th of 14	29/11/25	Turffontein	2000m	CUP	2	Muzi Yeni	52kg	Y	2:06.31	57.0 km/h	8.3L	-	$11	34	$25,274	$600	1. Aladdin's Lamp 2. Field Marshal 3. Soldier's Eye
34 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 10	26/10/25	Turffontein	2000m	OPEN	5	Louis Nhlapo	50kg	Good	2:04.78	57.7 km/h	2.4L	-	$11	36	$12,637	$1,201	1. Thunee Playa 2. Olivia's Way 3. Chestnut Bomber
36 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 10	20/9/25	Turffontein	1600m	GPLATE	9	Muzi Yeni	59.5kg	Good	1:37.92	58.8 km/h	2.4L	-	$26	34	$8,420	$200	1. Count Huhtikuu 2. Solar Sail 3. Parisian Walkway
34 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 8	17/8/25	Turffontein	1600m	GPLATE	6	Gavin Lerena	60kg	Good	1:37.32	59.2 km/h	7.4L	-	$4.30	15	$8,420	$200	1. Pioneer Square 2. Zip Code 3. We Are The Logans

Mister Speaker (6) 1487x78978
Trainer: Kobus Roux()
Jockey: Denis Schwarz
Weight: 55kg
Prize Money: $11,000
Win / Place: 10% / 15%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: ERUPT (IRE)

Dam: POINT OF ORDER (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Philanthropist (Usa)

Rating

Stats

Career

19: 2-1-0

Distance

4: 1-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

4: 0-0-0

Season

5: 0-0-0

1st Up

3: 0-0-0

2nd Up

3: 0-0-0

3rd Up

3: 1-0-0

4th Up

3: 0-1-0

Metro

1: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

18: 2-1-0

Turf

16: 1-0-0

Good

13: 1-0-0

Soft

2: 0-0-0

Synthetic

3: 1-1-0

Clockwise

19: 2-1-0

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1400m - 2000m

Gear Changes

A T

Comments

At the latest run ran last of 8 at this track on January 27 over 2000m, 17 len behind One More Star carrying 60kg at $67. Before that 7th of 9 at Turffontein Standside on January 11 over 2000m, 6 len behind Navajo Nation with 52kg at $126. Will jump at pretty long odds and deservedly so.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 8	27/1/26	Vaal	2000m	OPEN	2	Denis Schwarz	60kg	Good	2:02.65	58.7 km/h	17.3L	-	$67	16	$13,479	-	1. One More Star 2. Texas Missile 3. Battleground
7th of 9	11/1/26	Turffontein	2000m	OPEN	9	Louis Nhlapo	52kg	Y	2:05.88	57.2 km/h	6.5L	-	$126	22	$16,849	-	1. Navajo Nation 2. Aladdin's Lamp 3. Olivia's Way
9th of 10	20/12/25	Vaal	1475m	HCP	3	S'manga Khumalo	60kg	Good	1:27.43	60.7 km/h	21.8L	-	$101	9	$14,743	-	1. Amor Fati 2. Secret Chord 3. Last Car To Pass
8th of 8	11/12/25	Vaal	1500m	OPEN	5	Mxolisi Mbuto	55.5kg	Good	1:29.05	60.6 km/h	21.5L	-	$101	21	$13,479	-	1. Mastership 2. Master Christmas 3. Dylan's Champ
7th of 7	20/11/25	Vaal	1400m	PLATE	2	Nathan Klink	51kg	Y	1:21.29	62.0 km/h	5.8L	-	$76	146	$10,110	-	1. Champion Warrior 2. Cosmic Speed 3. Prince Of Kildare
146 Day Spell
7th of 9	27/6/25	Fairview	1600m	OPEN	9	Iannish Taka	58kg	Good	1:37.70	59.0 km/h	7.9L	-	$51	21	$9,100	-	1. Zinovi 2. Firealley 3. Bingwa

Bakwena (3) 70x6614365
Trainer: J A Janse Van Vuuren()
Jockey: Keagan De Melo
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $14,882
Win / Place: 15% / 30%

4 yo Bay Filly

Sire: GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT (AUS)

Dam: DIVINE RIGHT (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Dynasty

Rating

Stats

Career

13: 2-1-1

Track

4: 1-0-1

Season

7: 1-0-1

1st Up

3: 1-1-0

2nd Up

3: 0-0-0

3rd Up

2: 1-0-0

4th Up

2: 0-0-0

Metro

9: 1-1-0

Non-Metro

4: 1-0-1

Turf

13: 2-1-1

Good

12: 2-1-1

Soft

1: 0-0-0

Clockwise

13: 2-1-1

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

4: 1-0-1

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1200m - 1800m

Gear Changes

Comments

Last start 5th of 10 at this track on January 24 over 1800m, 2.75 len behind Aristotle with 54kg at $26. Before that 6th of 9 at this track on January 8 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Littlemissmillion carrying 56.5kg at $5.50. Kept coming last time after giving away a big start. Goes well here and extra trip a plus. Definite danger.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
5th of 10	24/1/26	Vaal	1800m	HCP	8	Keagan De Melo	54kg	Good	1:50.83	58.5 km/h	2.9L	-	$26	16	$21,061	$500	1. Aristotle 2. Pioneer Square 3. Willy Meet Again
6th of 9	8/1/26	Vaal	1600m	HCP FM	9	Keagan De Melo	56.5kg	Good	1:36.61	59.6 km/h	1.6L	-	$5.50	28	$11,373	-	1. Littlemissmillion 2. Accept Cookies 3. Ceuta
3rd of 8	11/12/25	Vaal	1600m	HCP FM	8	Keagan De Melo	57.5kg	Good	1:36.19	59.9 km/h	1.3L	-	$4.30	32	$11,373	$1,080	1. Warm Reception 2. Gerbera 3. Bakwena
32 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 11	9/11/25	Turffontein	1600m	HCP FM	10	Muzi Yeni	54.5kg	Y	1:39.37	58.0 km/h	1.0L	-	$17	26	$18,955	$900	1. Kisshoten 2. Mocha Blend 3. Sukhumvit
1st of 8	14/10/25	Vaal	1500m	CUP FM	5	Craig Zackey	55kg	Good	1:31.09	59.3 km/h	0.2L	-	$6.50	24	$9,267	$5,502	1. Bakwena 2. Woman's World 3. Warning Sound
6th of 7	20/9/25	Turffontein	1200m	GPLATE	4	Chase Maujean	54kg	Good	1:11.87	60.1 km/h	8.0L	-	$17	34	$8,420	-	1. Bjorn Ironside 2. Pennsylvania 3. Poblano
34 Day Freshen-Up

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

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