Race 2: RACING TODAY MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) (For Maiden Fillies and Mares)

VAAL RACECOURSE | Tuesday, 27 January 2026 | 12:45

Distance: 1450m
Going: Good
Stakes: R105,000

Race Results

Pos Horse A.C.S. Weight Draw Jockey Len MR CMR Odds
- Baby Red 2 ch. f 59.0kg 12 Mr J R Syster - - 65 16/1
1st Babette's Feast TF 2 b. f 59.0kg 2 Mr C Murray - 75 81 83/100
2nd Hot Cocoa 2 b. f 59.0kg 1 Mr C J Habib 1.5 72 78 8/1
3rd Sweetsummerlove 2 b. f 60.0kg 12 Mr R Danielson 7.25 58 58 14/1
4 Truly Magical 2 b. f 59.0kg 11 Mr M A Yeni 8.5 68 67 8/1
5 Storm Ballet 2 b. f 59.0kg 8 Mr R Munger 9.0 65 68 50/1
6 Lady Lancaster 3 b. f 56.0kg (60.0) 5 Mr B Marx - Jacobson 9.75 54 53 33/1
7 Maria La Gorda 3 ch. f 59.0kg 6 Mr P Mxoli 10.75 71 71 5/1
8 Chariklo 3 gr. f 59.0kg 3 Mr L M van Rensburg 11.05 63 71 25/1
9 Erik's Girl 2 b. f 59.0kg 7 Mr D W Schwarz 12.05 60 67 100/1
10 My Queen Amanat 3 b. f 59.0kg 10 Mr M K Katjedi 17.05 - 57 125/1
11 Eponas Lance 3 b. f 59.0kg 4 Mr K Matsunyane 17.25 - - 100/1
12 Poppy Day 3 ch. f 59.0kg 9 Mr L Nhlapo 23.5 - 40 125/1

Race Timing

Winning Time
87.14s
Average Time
88.81s
Difference
%.2fs
Total Pool
R1,035,000
View Official NHA Assessment

Rating Analysis

Horse Pos MR Before MR After Official Δ Expected Δ Discrepancy
Babette's Feast 1 75 81 +6 + 7 -1
Hot Cocoa 2 72 78 +6 -1 + 7
Sweetsummerlove 3 58 58 0 -3 + 3
Truly Magical 4 68 67 -1 -3 + 2
Storm Ballet 5 65 68 +3 -4 + 7
Lady Lancaster 6 54 53 -1 -4 + 3
Maria La Gorda 7 71 71 0 -4 + 4
Chariklo 8 63 71 +8 -4 + 12
Erik's Girl 9 60 67 +7 -5 + 12
My Queen Amanat 10 - 57 - -15 -
Eponas Lance 11 - - - -17 -
Poppy Day 12 - 40 - -19 -
Baby Red None - 65 - -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)	TRULY MAGICAL (M Yeni) jumped inwards leaving the stalls.	
b)	MARIA LA GORDA (P Mxoli) jumped outwards leaving the stalls.
c)	POPPY DAY (L Nhlapo) was slow, losing one length.
d)	LADY LANCASTER (*B Marx-Jacobson), EPONAS LANCE (K Matsunyane) and MY QUEEN AMANAT (M K Katjedi) were slow into stride.	

THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED:
a)	All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels, and no retests were recorded.
b)	Shortly after the start, ERIK'S GIRL (D Schwarz) was bumped out by MARIA LA GORDA (P Mxoli), which jumped outwards leaving the stalls. Thereafter, MARIA LA GORDA (P Mxoli) over-raced in the early stages. 
c)	Shortly after the start, MY QUEEN AMANAT (M K Katjedi) and POPPY DAY (L Nhlapo) were awkwardly placed between STORM BALLET (R Munger) and TRULY MAGICAL (M Yeni), which jumped inwards leaving the stalls.	
d)	In view of the Veterinary Surgeon's report concerning MARIA LA GORDA, and in terms of Rule 93.1, this filly is suspended for 60 days from racing in any race under the jurisdiction of the National Horseracing Authority. Trainer A G Laird was advised. 
e)	In view of the Veterinary Surgeon's report concerning POPPY DAY, and in terms of Rule 93.1, this filly is suspended for 60 days from racing in any race under the jurisdiction of the National Horseracing Authority. Trainer B Webber was advised. 	
f)	BABETTE'S FEAST (C Murray), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis.
Trainer Matthew de Kock advised (MduP).
	
JOCKEY CHANGES:
a)	TRULY MAGICAL was ridden by Jockey	 M Yeni	(declared 23 January 2026 at 08H31).	
b)	STORM BALLET was ridden by Jockey	R Munger (declared 27 January 2026 at 07H41).	

RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER:
a)	POPPY DAY raced equipped with pacifiers (declared 22 January 2026 at 07H04).	

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:
a)	MARIA LA GORDA coughing post-race; 	bilateral epistaxis, recommended 60-day suspension. 
             Trainer A G Laird was advised (MB). 
b)	POPPY DAY bilateral epistaxis, recommended 60-day suspension. 
             Trainer B Webber was advised (MB). 
c)	HOT COCOA mouth injury.	

SCRATCHED:
a)	BABY RED insufficient recovery time (Trainer) (Rule 53.5 applies).		

DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER:

None.	





Race 2 contd.