--- title: "Feb 25 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis" url: "/sports/feb-25-south-africa-vaal-form-analysis" published: "2025-02-24T15:42:09.000Z" updated: "2025-02-24T15:42:30.000Z" section: "Sports" tags: ["HORSE RACING"] --- # Feb 25 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis *Virgin River primed to go one better third-up* Race 1 (1,000m) Race 1 (1,000m) (1) OLD FASHIONED has a bad habit of conceding ground at the start but his recent form over this trip is good. He should play a leading role and need not improve much to open his account. (2) PURSUIT OF FAME and (3) RINGHO are both experienced maidens with earning potential. Keep a lookout for them. (8) JUST JAZZED UP can improve at her return, so she could pose a bigger threat, especially in receipt of a handy 2.5kg sex allowance.   Race 2 (1,000m) Race 2 (1,000m) (1) LADY OF ARC was returning from a six-month absence when she tired late to run fourth over this trip. She would have tightened up, so it could pay to follow her progress. (11) WORLD TOUR had legitimate excuses for her underwhelming debut performance on Jan 11. But she was prominent in the betting, so she should not be underestimated. (5) CYBER SPIRIT and (6) BILINGUAL complete the shortlist.   Race 3 (1,000m) Race 3 (1,000m) (6) IN THE ETHER, (7) TOGETHER AGAIN and (8) DANCING DORA are hard-knocking handicappers with the form and experience to acquit themselves competitively. (1) GAELIC DANCER was not disgraced at a higher level last time so she must be respected in this grade, especially off reduced ratings.   Race 4 (1,000m) Race 4 (1,000m) (7) VIRGIN RIVER was returning from a nine-month absence when finishing two lengths ahead of (5) KIA KAHA in a similar course-and-distance event on Dec 24. Both are lightly raced but the former, in her peak outing, should confirm her superiority on 0.5kg better terms. (10) THE NAVY LARK and (1) JUST THE TWO OF US are closely matched on the form of earlier meetings, and they should be on the premises at the business end.   Race 5 (1,450m) Race 5 (1,450m) (1) POTBERRIE acquitted himself well in defeat at a higher level last time. He won his previous start over this course and distance and another bold bid is expected. (2) MISS LIA also boasts a 100 per cent record over this track and distance. She should fare better after a no-show from the widest draw in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies’ Guineas. (3) BANFF is unexposed, so he cannot be taken lightly going over this distance at his peak outing. The returning (5) KAMENSKY is gelded and can get involved too.   Race 6 (1,450m) Race 6 (1,450m) (1) MISS SCALETTA bounced back to form last time in a similar race over 1,600m. She will be competitive if she can repeat that performance, even under a four-point penalty. (2) POINTER and (6) GOLDEN MOMENT ought to improve for the step-up to this trip, so they should make their presence felt. (9) GREAT NOTION has solid form credentials and she will be competitive while carrying the lightest weight at 52kg.   Race 7 (1,200m) Race 7 (1,200m) (2) ZANTHAR is carded to run at an earlier meeting, so his participation could be in doubt. He is closely matched with (1) SECRET CHORD on recent form, so the latter will be competitive if he takes his place. Secret Chord edged that Jan 11 meeting at Turffontein and should uphold that form on similar weight terms. (4) KINSHIN SHA and (8) SUPER AWESOME have the form and experience to make things difficult for those rivals, while (5) BIG BOY BRUCE can confirm the improvement of his last start should he make his presence felt too.   Race 8 (1,200m) Race 8 (1,200m) (4) WRITTEN IN STONE was an authoritative winner over a similar course-and-distance handicap two starts ago. Although he ran eighth last time over the 1,450m, he has a big chance dropping back to the 1,200m. He beat (5) SAIL THE SKY by three lengths and, despite a 2.5kg turnaround, he can assert his superiority. Good value bet. (8) ORIENTAL BOUQUET and (9) JET CAT bounced back to form last time and need only to confirm that improvement to have a say in the outcome.