Race 2: RACING TODAY MR 66 HANDICAP (Open)

VAAL RACECOURSE | Thursday, 23 October 2025 | 13:05

Distance: 2000m

Going: Good

Stakes: R80,000

Weight For Age(SSL) 3yrs:9.0 4yrs:1.0 Weight For Age(SNL) 3yrs:11.5 4yrs:2.5

Race Results

Pos	Horse	A.C.S.	Weight	Draw	Jockey	Len	MR	CMR	Odds
-	Vava Vegas	5 ch. g	56.0kg	2	Mr C Zackey	-	-	58	5/1
-	Casus Belli	3 ch. g	59.0kg	11	-	-	-	64	25/1
1st	Chabal	3 b. g	59.0kg	11	Mr Serino Moodley	-	66	73	14/1
2nd	Majalun TF	3 b. c	59.0kg	2	Mr M A Yeni	2.1	66	56	3/1
3rd	Hat Furious	4 b. g	55.5kg (55.0)	1	Mr C J Habib	2.5	56	53	16/1
4	Circle Of Grace	4 b. g	54.5kg	13	Mr K Matsunyane	3.2	55	51	16/1
5	Instant Attraction	3 b. f	57.5kg (59.0)	8	Mr T J Mayhew	3.7	66	60	7/1
6	Copper Plate	3 b. c	60.5kg	7	Mr C Murray	4.2	69	75	10/1
7	Crepuscolo	4 ch. g	54.0kg	6	Mr L Nhlapo	4.7	54	58	16/1
8	The Merciful	5 ch. g	54.5kg	5	Mr P Mxoli	4.95	55	54	11/2
9	Gold De Grace	4 ch. g	50.0kg (54.0)	4	Ms S T Valjalo	5.95	54	51	50/1
10	Flag Bearer	3 b. g	56.5kg (59.0)	3	Mr G Samo-Burthia	6.2	64	60	8/1
11	Count Your Chances	5 b. m	53.5kg	12	Mr J R Syster	7.9	53	51	100/1
12	Pomozelous	3 b. f	59.0kg	9	Mr J Penny	10.15	64	62	25/2
13	Red Sparrow	3 ch. f	57.0kg	10	Mr M K Katjedi	11.75	62	55	25/2

Race Timing

Winning Time

122.97s

Average Time

123.81s

Difference

%.2fs

Total Pool

R800,000

View Official NHA Assessment

Rating Analysis

Horse	Pos	MR Before	MR After	Official Δ	Expected Δ	Discrepancy
Chabal	1	66	73	+7	+ 7
Majalun	2	66	56	-10	-1	-9
Hat Furious	3	56	53	-3	-1	-2
Circle Of Grace	4	55	51	-4	-2	-2
Instant Attraction	5	66	60	-6	-2	-4
Copper Plate	6	69	75	+6	-2	+ 8
Crepuscolo	7	54	58	+4	-2	+ 6
The Merciful	8	55	54	-1	-2	+ 1
Gold De Grace	9	54	51	-3	-2	-1
Flag Bearer	10	64	60	-4	-3	-1
Count Your Chances	11	53	51	-2	-3	+ 1
Pomozelous	12	64	62	-2	-4	+ 2
Red Sparrow	13	62	55	-7	-4	-3
Vava Vegas	None	-	58	-	-188	-
Casus Belli	None	-	64	-	-188	-

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

Stipes Report

THE STARTER REPORTED:

a)	VAVA VEGAS (C Zackey) was examined by the Veterinary Surgeon and withdrawn.
b)	FLAG BEARER (*G Samo-Burthia) jumped slow, losing one length.
c)	GOLD DE GRACE (*S Valjalo) and COUNT YOUR CHANCES (JR Syster) jumped slow, losing two lengths.

THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: 

a)	The start of this race was delayed to allow the betting public time to restructure their bets after VAVA VEGAS (C Zackey) was withdrawn at the start.
b)	At approximately the 600m MAJALUN (M Yeni) was steadied momentarily when awkwardly placed between COPPER PLATE (C Murray) and INSTANT ATTRACTION (*T Mayhew), which was directed outwards to avoid running onto the heels of CIRCLE OF GRACE (K Matsunyane). 
c)	An Inquiry will be held to establish why HAT FURIOUS (C Habib) had to ease leaving the 300m.
d)	CHABAL, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer FP Habib was advised. (MdP) 
	
JOCKEY CHANGES:

a)	J Penny rode POMOZELOUS (declared 08h36 on 20251023)
b)	C Habib (HAT FURIOUS) rode +0.5kg (55.9kgs)
	
RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER

a)	HAT FURIOUS raced with a tongue tie (declared 13h52 on 20251016)

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:

a)	COUNT YOUR CHANCES - head injury

SCRATCHED:

a)	CASUS BELLI - abnormal blood count. Rule 53.5 applied (declared 10h04 on 20251022) Veterinary Certificate received; suitable for reinstatement.
b)	VAVA VEGAS - not striding out. Rule 53.5 applied (declared 13h03 on 20251023)

DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER:

None