Race 4: RACING240 MAIDEN PLATE (For all Maidens)

VAAL RACECOURSE | Thursday, 08 January 2026 | 14:00

Distance: 1800m

Going: Good

Stakes: R120,000

Race Results

Pos	Horse	A.C.S.	Weight	Draw	Jockey	Len	MR	CMR	Odds
-	Jaffa	3 b. g	58.0kg	12	-	-	-	82	-
1st	Naretoi TF	2 gr. c	60.0kg	5	Mr L M van Rensburg	-	68	73	28/10
2nd	War Talk	2 b. f	54.5kg	2	Mr C Zackey	0.2	79	76	3/1
3rd	World Order	2 b. c	58.0kg	9	Mr M A Yeni	3.0	76	84	10/1
4	Elusive Glow	3 b. g	58.0kg	12	Mr G J Lerena	4.25	-	73	10/1
5	Emerald City	2 b. c	58.0kg	6	Mr R Munger	7.35	74	71	6/1
6	Thoonsil	3 ch. c	58.0kg	10	Mr K J Lihaba	7.4	74	77	8/1
7	Gift Of Royal	3 b. g	60.0kg	1	Mr J R Syster	7.6	62	58	100/1
8	Special Al	3 b. c	58.0kg	3	Mr K de Melo	7.7	-	-	7/1
9	Inclusion	3 b. g	60.0kg	13	Mr P Mxoli	7.75	67	65	50/1
10	Anonymous	4 b. g	60.0kg	14	Mr D W Schwarz	14.5	55	50	150/1
11	Blue Crystal	3 gr. g	60.0kg	4	Mr L Nhlapo	15.5	55	51	125/1
12	Cuzzie	3 ch. g	60.0kg	7	Mr J Gates	21.0	56	54	100/1
13	Elusive Charm	2 b. g	54.0kg (58.0)	11	Mr B Marx - Jacobson	23.75	69	62	125/1
14	King Of Silk	3 b. g	58.0kg	8	Mr T J Mayhew	99.99	68	68	125/1

Race Timing

Winning Time

108.97s

Average Time

112.32s

Difference

%.2fs

Total Pool

R1,022,500

View Official NHA Assessment

Rating Analysis

Horse	Pos	MR Before	MR After	Official Δ	Expected Δ	Discrepancy
Naretoi	1	68	73	+5	+ 7	-2
War Talk	2	79	76	-3	-1	-2
World Order	3	76	84	+8	-2	+ 10
Elusive Glow	4	-	73	-	-3	-
Emerald City	5	74	71	-3	-3
Thoonsil	6	74	77	+3	-3	+ 6
Gift Of Royal	7	62	58	-4	-3	-1
Special Al	8	-	-	-	-11	-
Inclusion	9	67	65	-2	-3	+ 1
Anonymous	10	55	50	-5	-5
Blue Crystal	11	55	51	-4	-6	+ 2
Cuzzie	12	56	54	-2	-8	+ 6
Elusive Charm	13	69	62	-7	-8	+ 1
King Of Silk	14	68	68	0	-10	+ 10
Jaffa	None	-	82	-	-193	-

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

Stipes Report

THE STARTER REPORTED:
a)	During the loading process, BLUE CRYSTAL (L Nhlapo) became restless and bumped the front gates open, which were reset. 
b)	THOONSIL (*K J Lihaba) reared in the stalls.
c)	GIFT OF ROYAL (J R Syster) and EMERALD CITY (R Munger) were slow, losing one length.
d)	Shortly after the start, THOONSIL (*K J Lihaba) and ELUSIVE CHARM (*B Marx-Jacobson) came together and bumped. 

THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED:
a)	All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels, and no retests were recorded.
b)	Apprentice T Mayhew (KING OF SILK) did not persevere with his riding from the 400m. Thereafter, Apprentice T Mayhew reported that he felt something amiss with this gelding in running. 
The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. 		
c)	In the concluding stages, WAR TALK (C Zackey), which hung out from the 300m, and NARETOI (M van Rensburg), which shifted in away from the crop, came together and brushed. 
d)	Jockey K de Melo reported that SPECIAL AL made an abnormal respiratory noise in running. 
The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. 	
e)	NARETOI (M van Rensburg), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis.	
Assistant Trainer T Woodruff, acting on behalf of Trainer J Crawford, was advised (MS). 	
	
JOCKEY CHANGES:
a)	THOONSIL was ridden by Apprentice K J Lihaba (declared 5 January 2026 at 09H39).		
	Stipes' permission was granted with the mutual consent of all parties involved. 
b)	SPECIAL AL was ridden by Jockey K de Melo (declared 8 January 2026 at 07H33).		

RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER:
a)	NARETOI raced equipped with cheek pieces and without blinkers (declared 30 December 2025 at 10H27).		
b)	ANONYMOUS is a gelding (gelded, 25 May 2024). Incorrectly carded. 

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:
a)	KING OF SILK lame left front (suspensory ligament). Veterinary report required prior to racing. 
Rule 49.7 applies. KING OF SILK  is required to perform a gallop to the satisfaction of the NHA veterinary department prior to his next engagement. Trainer C Spies advised (MB). 	
b)	SPECIAL AL blowing post-race; fatigued.	

SCRATCHED:
a)	JAFFA ineligible (winner, Turffontein Racecourse, 1 January 2026). Advised 2 January 2026 at 11H35.

DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER:

None.