Vaal Race 3

Www.tab.co.za Open Mr 97 Hcp (3 Year Olds)

Prize Money: $10,997

TROMPE L'OEIL (1) is the one to beat after missing by only a head in a GPLATE here last start, and his Vaal record of two wins and a placing from three visits gives him the strongest overall profile. The one blemish was his Turffontein Inside failure two back as favourite, but he bounced straight back and looks well placed in this grade. WHATSDAMATTERWITHU (7) is the main danger, bringing a half-length second in a 3yo Handicap and strong 1200m credentials with two wins and a placing from four attempts. SANDS OF VALHALLA (2) has the right third-up platform and returns to a proven track after a fair G2 run two starts ago, though he was beaten just under five lengths as favourite last time. GONE COLD (3) resumes off a dominant Turffontein Standside win and has never missed a place, so he has to be respected despite the five-month break.

Distance: 1200m
Class: RBH97
Track: Good
Weather: Clear
Surface: Turf

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Trompe L'Oeil (7) 12162
Trainer: Xander / Corne Spies()
Jockey: Blaine Marx-Jacobson (a0)
Weight: 61kg
Prize Money: $14,905
Win / Place: 40% / 80%

Track Specialist

3 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT (AUS)

Dam: MIRAGE (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Captain Al

Rating

Stats

Career

5: 2-2-0

Distance

2: 0-2-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-1-0

Track

3: 2-1-0

Season

4: 1-2-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-0

Metro

2: 0-1-0

Non-Metro

3: 2-1-0

Turf

5: 2-2-0

Good

3: 1-1-0

Soft

2: 1-1-0

Clockwise

5: 2-2-0

Handicap Rating

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

1000m - 1200m

Gear Changes

alumites, hood

Comments

Closed to within a head of Charming Cheetah in a GPLATE at Vaal last start, a strong response after finishing last as a well-supported favourite over 1000m at Turffontein Inside. His overall profile remains hard to fault, with two wins and two placings from five starts and an excellent record at this track. The class drop and race fitness make him the clear horse to beat.

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
2nd of 7	10/9/26	Vaal	1200m	GPLATE	2	Gavin Lerena	58.5kg	Y	1:10.44	61.3 km/h	0.2L	-	$4.00	12	$9,450	$1,796	1. Charming Cheetah 2. Trompe L'oeil 3. Master Spy
6th of 6	29/8/26	Turffontein	1000m	BM96	2	Serino Moodley	54.5kg	Good	0:57.83	62.3 km/h	6.2L	-	$2.25f	16	$11,170	-	1. Echo Check 2. Time Is Precious 3. It's Personal
1st of 5	13/8/26	Vaal	1000m	RBH74	5	Gavin Lerena	61.5kg	Y	0:57.87	62.2 km/h	1.9L	-	$2.40f	12	$8,590	$5,101	1. Trompe L'oeil 2. Sergeant Soqrat 3. Lonely As A Cloud
2nd of 6	1/8/26	Turffontein	1160m	NOV	3	Gavin Lerena	56.5kg	Good	1:07.42	61.9 km/h	0.6L	-	$3.25	30	$8,590	$1,632	1. Sakura Hanami 2. Trompe L'oeil 3. One Tiger
1st of 9	2/7/26	Vaal	1000m	MPLTE 2	3	Trent Mayhew	60kg	Good	0:58.86	61.2 km/h	0.4L	-	$3.80	-	$10,740	$6,376	1. Trompe L'oeil 2. Astrophile 3. Mulholland Drive

Sands Of Valhalla (6) 21x73
Trainer: Tony Peter()
Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane
Weight: 59kg
Prize Money: $8,763
Win / Place: 25% / 75%

3 yo Bay Colt

Sire: ERIK THE RED (SAF)

Dam: CIRCLE IN THE SAND (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Gimmethegreenlight (Aus)

Rating

Stats

Career

4: 1-1-1

Distance

3: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

2: 1-1-0

Track

2: 1-1-0

Season

1: 0-0-1

1st Up

2: 0-1-0

2nd Up

2: 1-0-1

Metro

2: 0-0-1

Non-Metro

2: 1-1-0

Turf

4: 1-1-1

Good

3: 1-0-1

Soft

1: 0-1-0

Clockwise

4: 1-1-1

Handicap Rating

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

1200m - 1600m

Gear Changes

alumites

Comments

Third-up now after placing in a NOV over 1600m at Turffontein Inside, albeit beaten just under five lengths as the firming favourite. His previous seventh in the G2 2yo Open at Greyville was sound at big odds, and the return to 1200m suits given he has already won at this track. Shapes as a genuine place chance with a winning hope if he sharpens up.

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
3rd of 7	12/9/26	Turffontein	1600m	NOV	3	Serino Moodley	58kg	Good	1:40.59	57.3 km/h	4.8L	-	$2.80f	48	$8,590	$816	1. Palace Attack 2. Knowmore 3. Sands Of Valhalla
48 Day Freshen-Up
7th of 13	26/7/26	Greyville	1200m	G2 OPEN 2	8	Rachel Venniker	60kg	Good	1:12.38	59.7 km/h	4.2L	-	$41	66	$42,960	-	1. Fish Tales 2. Bisou Bisou 3. World Series
66 Day Spell
1st of 15	21/5/26	Vaal	1200m	MPLTE	10	Kyle Strydom	57kg	Good	1:09.43	62.2 km/h	1.5L	-	$3.25f	30	$9,690	$5,866	1. Sands Of Valhalla 2. Highwayman Harry 3. Sky Pilot
2nd of 11	21/4/26	Vaal	1200m	MPLTE 2	3	Kyle Strydom	60kg	Y	1:11.08	60.8 km/h	1.9L	-	$6.00	-	$10,950	$2,081	1. Egremont 2. Sands Of Valhalla 3. Raptor King

Gone Cold (3) 321x
Trainer: Alec Laird(South Africa)
Jockey: Calvin Habib
Weight: 58.5kg
Prize Money: $9,817
Win / Place: 33% / 100%

3 yo Grey Colt

Sire: GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT (AUS)

Dam: FROSTED STEEL (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Captain Al

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 1-1-1

Distance

3: 1-1-1

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-1

Track

1: 0-0-1

1st Up

1: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

2: 1-1-0

Non-Metro

1: 0-0-1

Turf

3: 1-1-1

Good

2: 1-1-0

Soft

1: 0-0-1

Clockwise

3: 1-1-1

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 0-1-1

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

1160m

Gear Changes

alumites

Comments

Returns from a five-month spell after bolting in at Turffontein Standside, beating Up And Up by just over eight lengths in a 2yo MPLTE when heavily backed into odds-on. He had been second to Turn It Up the start before and owns a perfect place record from three runs. Freshness is the obvious consideration, but that last win gives him solid minor claims.

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
1st of 13	16/5/26	Turffontein	1160m	MPLTE 2	3	Gavin Lerena	60kg	Good	1:07.32	62.0 km/h	8.3L	-	$1.46f	56	$10,530	$6,376	1. Gone Cold 2. Up And Up 3. Knight Heist
56 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 6	21/3/26	Turffontein	1160m	PLATE 2	3	Calvin Habib	57kg	Good	1:08.14	61.3 km/h	2.6L	-	$4.50	16	$12,640	$2,401	1. Turn It Up 2. Gone Cold 3. Kudikaran
3rd of 8	5/3/26	Vaal	1200m	MPLTE 2	1	Calvin Habib	60kg	Soft	1:12.08	59.9 km/h	0.7L	-	$4.50	-	$10,950	$1,040	1. The Bronx Bull 2. Viking Lass 3. Gone Cold

Impressive (5) 63234138x
Trainer: Paul Matchett()
Jockey: Muzi Yeni
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $10,846
Win / Place: 12% / 62%

3 yo Grey Filly

Sire: ERIK THE RED (SAF)

Dam: KISSIMMEE (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Jet Master

Rating

Stats

Career

8: 1-1-3

Distance

1: 0-0-1

Track

2: 1-0-1

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-1

3rd Up

1: 0-1-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-1

Metro

6: 0-1-2

Non-Metro

2: 1-0-1

Turf

8: 1-1-3

Good

5: 1-0-2

Soft

3: 0-1-1

Clockwise

8: 1-1-3

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 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

1160m - 1600m

Gear Changes

alumites

Comments

Returns from a three-month break after finishing eighth in the G2 2yo F Open at Greyville, beaten just over eight lengths at long odds. Her prior third at Turffontein Standside was more competitive, and she has a good Vaal record from limited attempts. Back to 1200m is a query, so a marked lift on the latest run is required.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

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 10	26/7/26	Greyville	1600m	G2 OPEN F 2	1	Philasande Mxoli	60kg	Good	1:38.72	58.3 km/h	8.3L	-	$34	21	$64,430	-	1. Marchland 2. Doesyourmotherknow 3. Royal Tiara
3rd of 6	5/7/26	Turffontein	1400m	PLATE 2	4	Craig Zackey	58kg	Good	1:24.82	59.4 km/h	2.9L	-	$4.30	17	$10,310	$979	1. Within Reach 2. Queen Leila 3. Impressive
1st of 12	18/6/26	Vaal	1400m	MPLTE 2	11	Philasande Mxoli	60kg	Good	1:23.18	60.6 km/h	3.8L	-	$3.80	19	$9,020	$5,356	1. Impressive 2. Blow My Top 3. Knockin' Boots
4th of 12	30/5/26	Greyville	1400m	MPLTE 2	2	Muzi Yeni	57kg	Good	1:25.79	58.7 km/h	2.9L	-	$3.80	14	$13,480	$653	1. Coast Of The Sun 2. Benny And Paul 3. Navigation
3rd of 11	16/5/26	Turffontein	1160m	MPLTE 2	11	Rachel Venniker	58.5kg	Good	1:07.44	61.9 km/h	2.2L	-	$4.50	27	$8,850	$857	1. Perfect Sky 2. Satisfied 3. Impressive
2nd of 6	19/4/26	Turffontein	1400m	MPLTE 2	3	Muzi Yeni	60kg	Y	1:27.49	57.6 km/h	1.8L	-	$2.70	22	$10,110	$1,921	1. Doesyourmotherknow 2. Impressive 3. Onward

Staggerwing (4) 224x122x
Trainer: Mike & Mathew De Kock()
Jockey: Callan Murray
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $13,589
Win / Place: 16% / 83%

3 yo Bay Filly

Sire: RAFEEF (AUS)

Dam: ALL OF ME (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Var (Usa)

Rating

Stats

Career

6: 1-4-0

Distance

1: 0-1-0

Track

2: 1-1-0

1st Up

2: 1-1-0

2nd Up

2: 0-2-0

3rd Up

2: 0-1-0

Metro

4: 0-3-0

Non-Metro

2: 1-1-0

Turf

6: 1-4-0

Good

4: 1-3-0

Soft

2: 0-1-0

Clockwise

6: 1-4-0

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

6: 1-4-0

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

1000m - 1100m

Gear Changes

alumites

Comments

Returns from a three-month break with consistent form, having run second at her last two starts and gone under by half a length each time. She was favourite in both, including against Minerva Fae at Turffontein Standside, and her career place rate is strong. This looks a tougher assignment, so she profiles more as a minor-money hope than a win play.

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
2nd of 5	21/7/26	Turffontein	1100m	PLATE F 2	5	Callan Murray	60kg	Good	1:04.03	61.8 km/h	0.5L	-	$2.50f	12	$10,310	$1,959	1. Minerva Fae 2. Staggerwing 3. Social Graces
2nd of 8	9/7/26	Turffontein	1000m	BM74 FM	6	Callan Murray	58kg	Good	0:58.42	61.6 km/h	0.5L	-	$2.50f	44	$8,590	$1,632	1. Power Of Pearls 2. Staggerwing 3. Quiet Winter
44 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 9	26/5/26	Vaal	1000m	MPLTE 2	7	Callan Murray	60kg	Good	0:56.90	63.3 km/h	2.7L	-	$1.40f	80	$8,850	$5,356	1. Staggerwing 2. Ruby Whisper 3. Molten Rock
80 Day Spell
4th of 8	7/3/26	Turffontein	1000m	LR OPEN 2	4	Callan Murray	57kg	Y	0:58.04	62.0 km/h	3.5L	-	$4.50	21	$16,850	$800	1. Secretary Bird 2. Griselda 3. Lanzarote
2nd of 10	14/2/26	Turffontein	1160m	MPLTE 2	3	Callan Murray	60kg	Y	1:09.25	60.3 km/h	2.5L	-	$1.72f	16	$10,110	$1,921	1. Get Up 2. Staggerwing 3. Grande Hawaii
2nd of 9	29/1/26	Vaal	1000m	MPLTE F	1	Callan Murray	60kg	Good	0:57.73	62.4 km/h	2.0L	-	$3.80	-	$10,110	$1,921	1. Secretary Bird 2. Staggerwing 3. Platinum Shay

Whatsdamatterwithu (1) 563x1132
Trainer: Clinton Binda()
Jockey: Craig Zackey
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $15,335
Win / Place: 28% / 71%

3 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: FIRE AWAY (USA)

Dam: MARY LOU (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Rich Man's Gold (Usa)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

7: 2-1-2

Distance

4: 2-1-0

Track

1: 0-0-1

Season

2: 0-1-1

1st Up

2: 1-0-0

2nd Up

2: 1-0-0

3rd Up

2: 0-0-2

4th Up

1: 0-1-0

Metro

6: 2-1-1

Non-Metro

1: 0-0-1

Turf

7: 2-1-2

Good

6: 2-1-1

Soft

1: 0-0-1

Clockwise

7: 2-1-2

Handicap Rating

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

1000m - 1200m

Gear Changes

alumites

Comments

Finished second to Gimme A Fireball in a 3yo Handicap at Turffontein Inside last start, beaten half a length after firming near the top of an open market. That followed a solid third over 1000m when heavily backed, and his 1200m record is a major asset. With two wins and a placing from four at the trip, he rates as a strong winning chance.

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
2nd of 6	12/9/26	Turffontein	1200m	HCP 3	1	Calvin Habib	54kg	Good	1:12.94	59.2 km/h	0.5L	-	$6.00	14	$11,000	$2,089	1. Gimme A Fireball 2. Whatsdamatterwithu 3. Bisou Bisou
3rd of 7	29/8/26	Turffontein	1000m	BM80	3	Calvin Habib	57.5kg	Good	0:58.12	61.9 km/h	2.6L	-	$1.72f	39	$9,880	$939	1. Caladrius 2. Time Will Tell 3. Whatsdamatterwithu
39 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 12	21/7/26	Turffontein	1160m	OPEN	6	Calvin Habib	58kg	Good	1:07.23	62.1 km/h	0.1L	-	$5.50	16	$8,590	$5,101	1. Whatsdamatterwithu 2. One Tiger 3. Nkandla Gold
1st of 10	5/7/26	Turffontein	1160m	MPLTE	3	Calvin Habib	57kg	Good	1:07.16	62.2 km/h	1.8L	-	$7.00	73	$9,880	$5,866	1. Whatsdamatterwithu 2. Pole Position 3. Parisienne Queen
73 Day Spell
3rd of 8	23/4/26	Vaal	1000m	MPLTE 2	4	Calvin Habib	60kg	Y	0:58.08	62.0 km/h	12.8L	-	$11	33	$10,950	$1,040	1. Catfish 2. Lightinthewoods 3. Whatsdamatterwithu
33 Day Freshen-Up
6th of 6	21/3/26	Turffontein	1160m	PLATE 2	6	Philasande Mxoli	57kg	Good	1:08.14	61.3 km/h	10.5L	-	$41	42	$12,640	-	1. Turn It Up 2. Gone Cold 3. Kudikaran
42 Day Freshen-Up

Navigatrix (2) 13
Trainer: Paul Matchett()
Jockey: Philasande Mxoli
Weight: 55kg
Prize Money: $6,172
Win / Place: 50% / 100%

Quick Back Up

3 yo Bay Filly

Sire: VERCINGETORIX (SAF)

Dam: FLIGHT ZONE (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Jet Master

Rating

Stats

Career

2: 1-0-1

Distance

2: 1-0-1

Trk/Dst

1: 1-0-0

Track

1: 1-0-0

Season

1: 0-0-1

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-1

Metro

1: 0-0-1

Non-Metro

1: 1-0-0

Turf

2: 1-0-1

Good

2: 1-0-1

Clockwise

2: 1-0-1

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 1-0-0

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

1200m

Gear Changes

alumites

Comments

Backs up quickly after running third in an FM Benchmark 81 at Turffontein Inside four days ago, beaten just over five lengths as the easing favourite. Her debut win at Vaal over 1200m was much sharper, beating Rafeef's Queen by two and a half lengths at outsider odds. She has course-and-distance upside, but the latest margin leaves her short of the main chances.

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
3rd of 10	27/9/26	Turffontein	1200m	BM81 FM	10	Muzi Yeni	56.5kg	Good	1:13.88	58.5 km/h	5.3L	-	$4.50f	59	$8,590	$816	1. Got The Look 2. Fair Proposal 3. Navigatrix
59 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 8	30/7/26	Vaal	1200m	MPLTE F 2	3	Philasande Mxoli	60kg	Good	1:10.43	61.3 km/h	2.4L	-	$11	-	$9,020	$5,356	1. Navigatrix 2. Rafeef's Queen 3. Miss Fire Arrow

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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