Race 9: NEXT VAAL RACEMEETING TUESDAY 27 JANUARY MR 74 HANDICAP (Open)

VAAL RACECOURSE | Thursday, 08 January 2026 | 16:50

Distance: 1200m
Going: Good
Stakes: R100,000
Weight For Age(SSL) 3yrs:3.5 Weight For Age(SNL) 3yrs:5.5

Race Results

Pos Horse A.C.S. Weight Draw Jockey Len MR CMR Odds
- King Bluetooth 2 b. g 52.0kg 6 - - - 53 -
1st Never Never Land TF 3 b. g 60.0kg 1 Mr G J Lerena - 81 85 1/1
2nd Prized Platinum 3 b. g 59.5kg 4 Mr C R Maujean 0.8 73 72 50/1
3rd Union Rose 3 b. g 59.0kg (60.5) 2 Mickaelle Michel 5.1 75 69 7/1
4 Lava Fire 3 b. g 57.5kg 3 Mr P Mxoli 5.35 69 69 14/1
5 Tana Maree 4 b. f 59.5kg 7 Mr M K Katjedi 6.85 73 72 33/1
6 Palace Revolt 2 b. g 59.0kg 6 Mr S Khumalo 7.15 72 64 8/1
7 Prophet 2 b. g 59.0kg 12 Mr T J Mayhew 7.45 72 66 25/1
8 Princess Lola 2 b. f 54.5kg 10 Mr R Munger 8.45 63 60 33/1
9 Inspiration 2 b. f 60.0kg 5 Mr C Zackey 9.95 81 79 8/1
10 Western Wishes 5 b. m 60.0kg 11 Mr K Matsunyane 10.2 74 74 20/1
11 Falcon Strike 2 ch. c 54.0kg 8 Mr J R Syster 14.3 62 60 25/1
12 Sail The Sky 4 b. g 52.0kg (56.0) 9 Mr B Marx - Jacobson 14.35 66 62 100/1

Race Timing

Winning Time
68.54s
Average Time
69.7s
Difference
%.2fs
Total Pool
R1,022,500

Rating Analysis

Horse Pos MR Before MR After Official Δ Expected Δ Discrepancy
Never Never Land 1 81 85 +4 + 7 -3
Prized Platinum 2 73 72 -1 -1
Union Rose 3 75 69 -6 -2 -4
Lava Fire 4 69 69 0 -2 + 2
Tana Maree 5 73 72 -1 -3 + 2
Palace Revolt 6 72 64 -8 -3 -5
Prophet 7 72 66 -6 -3 -3
Princess Lola 8 63 60 -3 -3
Inspiration 9 81 79 -2 -4 + 2
Western Wishes 10 74 74 0 -4 + 4
Falcon Strike 11 62 60 -2 -5 + 3
Sail The Sky 12 66 62 -4 -5 + 1
King Bluetooth None - 53 - -193 -
Note: Expected changes are calculated using simplified algorithms. Official NHRA algorithms from the PDF will provide accurate benchmarking.

Stipes Report

THE STARTER HAD NO REPORTS. 
THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED:
a)	All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels, and no retests were recorded.
b)	SAIL THE SKY (*B Marx-Jacobson) hung out badly from the 300m. In view of this performance, the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. 
c)	Jockey C Zackey reported that he felt something amiss with INSPIRATION in running. 
The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. 	
d)	NEVER NEVER LAND (G Lerena), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis.
Assistant Trainer N Titise, acting on behalf of Trainer S T Pettigrew, was advised (MduP). 	

JOCKEY CHANGES:
None. 


Race 9 contd. 
RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER:
a)	LAVA FIRE raced equipped with blinkers (declared 6 January 2026 at 08H32).		

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:
a)	SAIL THE SKY examined post-race, nothing obvious detected.
b)	INSPIRATION abnormal respiratory noise; not striding out in front; fatigued.	

SCRATCHED:
a)	KING BLUETOOTH reserve runner. Advised 8 January 2026 at 08H15.

DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER:

None.