Race 5: RACING240 NOVICE HANDICAP (Maidens & 1 time winners)

VAAL RACECOURSE | Thursday, 18 September 2025 | 14:50

Distance: 1400m

Going: Good

Stakes: R95,000

Weight For Age(SSL) 3yrs:8.0 4yrs:0.5 Weight For Age(SNL) 3yrs:11.0 4yrs:1.5

Race Results

Pos	Horse	A.C.S.	Weight	Draw	Jockey	Len	MR	CMR	Odds
1st	Echo Check TF	2 b. g	57.0kg	10	Mr S Khumalo	-	92	98	14/10
2nd	Palace Attack	2 b. g	54.5kg	11	Mr C J Habib	0.25	87	86	11/2
3rd	Bay Empire	2 b. c	54.5kg	5	Mr K J Lihaba	3.25	72	62	33/1
4	Page Boy	3 b. g	56.0kg	7	Mr C Zackey	5.0	75	79	66/1
5	Shinto Shrine	2 gr. c	59.0kg	2	Mr L Nhlapo	6.6	81	80	5/1
6	Clairwood Rose	2 b. f	54.0kg	8	Mr M A Yeni	9.3	86	77	6/1
7	Artic Silver	3 b. f	56.0kg (57.5)	12	Mr T J Mayhew	9.6	78	77	40/1
8	Willowild	2 b. f	57.5kg	9	Mr C R Maujean	9.9	78	73	25/1
9	Eight Hats	2 b. f	55.0kg	4	Mr P Mxoli	11.4	88	64	33/1
10	Peace Treaty	3 b. g	56.0kg	13	Mr K Matsunyane	13.6	75	69	40/1
11	On A Jet Plane	3 ch. f	55.5kg	3	Mr Serino Moodley	15.6	74	71	16/1
12	Ryans Boulevard	3 ch. c	60.0kg	6	Mr J R Syster	16.6	82	82	40/1
13	Blaze A Way	2 b. g	54.5kg (58.5)	1	Mr G Samo-Burthia	25.0	80	80	100/1

Race Timing

Winning Time

81.6s

Average Time

82.44s

Difference

%.2fs

Total Pool

R860,000

View Official NHA Assessment

Rating Analysis

Horse	Pos	MR Before	MR After	Official Δ	Expected Δ	Discrepancy
Echo Check	1	92	98	+6	+ 7	-1
Palace Attack	2	87	86	-1	-1
Bay Empire	3	72	62	-10	-2	-8
Page Boy	4	75	79	+4	-2	+ 6
Shinto Shrine	5	81	80	-1	-3	+ 2
Clairwood Rose	6	86	77	-9	-4	-5
Artic Silver	7	78	77	-1	-4	+ 3
Willowild	8	78	73	-5	-4	-1
Eight Hats	9	88	64	-24	-4	-20
Peace Treaty	10	75	69	-6	-5	-1
On A Jet Plane	11	74	71	-3	-6	+ 3
Ryans Boulevard	12	82	82	0	-6	+ 6
Blaze A Way	13	80	80	0	-9	+ 9

Note: Expected changes are calculated using simplified algorithms. Official NHRA algorithms from the PDF will provide accurate benchmarking.

Stipes Report

THE START OF THIS RACE WAS DELAYED DUE TO A CONTINUED TECHNICAL ISSUE IN THE OB-VAN. 

THE STARTER REPORTED:
a)	BLAZE A WAY (*G Samo-Burthia) stood, losing many lengths.
b)	PAGE BOY (C Zackey) was slow into stride.	

THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED:
a)	SHINTO SHRINE (L Nhlapo) shifted out away from the crop from the 300m.  
b)	BAY EMPIRE (*K J Lihaba) shifted out away from the crop in the concluding stages. 
c)	In view of the performance of BLAZE A WAY (*G Samo-Burthia), (distance 25,00 lengths, betting 100/1), the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine.	
d)	Jockey C Maujean reported that WILLOWILD took no interest in running. 
The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine.
e)	In view of the Starter's report with regard to BLAZE A WAY, this gelding's starting stall certificate has been withdrawn, and he is suspended in terms of Rule 61.6.10 for a period of 7 days and until such time as he proves tractable loading and jumping with a companion on a Raceday. 
Suspension dates: 19 September 2025 to 25 September 2025. BLAZE A WAY may not be presented for re-passing during this period. Trainer F P Habib was advised.  	
f)	ECHO CHECK (S Khumalo), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis.	
Trainer F P Habib advised (MduP).

JOCKEY CHANGES:
None.

RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER:
None. 

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:
a)	BLAZE A WAY examined post race, nothing obvious detected.
b)	WILLOWILD not striding out in front.
c)	RYANS BOULEVARD not striding out right front. 

THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS. 

DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER:

None.