Race 5: CLASSIC DAY 7 MARCH MAIDEN PLATE (For all Maidens)
VAAL RACECOURSE | Tuesday, 24 February 2026 | 15:00
Distance:
2000m
Going:
Good
Stakes:
R120,000
Race Results
| Pos | Horse | A.C.S. | Weight | Draw | Jockey | Len | MR | CMR | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Emerald City | 2 b. c | 60.0kg | 9 | Mr R Munger | - | - | 71 | 14/1 |
| 1st | Royal Engagement | 3 b. c | 60.0kg | 2 | Mr M A Yeni | - | 77 | 80 | 5/1 |
| 2nd | Heroic Act | 3 b. g | 60.0kg | 1 | Mr C Ngcobo | 1.6 | 63 | 65 | 33/1 |
| 3rd | Vixeninthevineyard TF | 2 b. f | 56.5kg | 6 | Mr S Khumalo | 3.3 | 66 | 64 | 14/10 |
| 4 | Inclusion | 3 b. g | 60.0kg | 5 | Mr P Mxoli | 3.4 | 68 | 65 | 10/1 |
| 5 | Thoonsil | 3 ch. c | 60.0kg | 8 | Mr K Matsunyane | 3.5 | 73 | 77 | 10/1 |
| 6 | Musical Warfare | 3 b. g | 60.0kg | 4 | Mr R Danielson | 99.99 | - | 30 | 125/1 |
| 7 | Elusive Charm | 2 b. g | 60.0kg | 7 | Mr D de Gouveia | 99.99 | 62 | 62 | 125/1 |
| 8 | War Talk | 2 b. f | 56.5kg | 3 | Mr C Zackey | 99.99 | 76 | 76 | 5/2 |
Race Timing
Winning Time
126.04s
Average Time
125.62s
Difference
+%.2fs
Total Pool
R798,500
Rating Analysis
| Horse | Pos | MR Before | MR After | Official Δ | Expected Δ | Discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Engagement | 1 | 77 | 80 | + 7 | -4 | |
| Heroic Act | 2 | 63 | 65 | -1 | + 3 | |
| Vixeninthevineyard | 3 | 66 | 64 | -2 | ||
| Inclusion | 4 | 68 | 65 | -2 | -1 | |
| Thoonsil | 5 | 73 | 77 | -2 | + 6 | |
| Musical Warfare | 6 | - | 30 | - | -7 | - |
| Elusive Charm | 7 | 62 | 62 | 0 | -10 | + 10 |
| War Talk | 8 | 76 | 76 | 0 | -10 | + 10 |
| Emerald City | None | - | 71 | - | -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) INCLUSION (P Mxoli) was stubborn loading. Trainer T Zackey was advised to reschool this gelding prior to his next engagement (GT). b) THOONSIL (K Matsunyane) was restless in the stalls and thereafter was slow, losing one length. c) ELUSIVE CHARM (D De Gouveia) was slow, losing two lengths. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels, and no retests were recorded. b) At approximately the 1400m, VIXENINTHEVINEYARD (S Khumalo) was switched out whilst taking evasive action to avoid WAR TALK, which was eased out of the race by Jockey C Zackey, who felt something amiss with this filly. c) ELUSIVE CHARM (D De Gouveia) commenced to give ground to the field from the 600m. d) MUSICAL WARFARE (R Danielson) commenced to give ground to the field from the 400m. e) ROYAL ENGAGEMENT (M Yeni), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis (MS). JOCKEY CHANGES: None. RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER: a) INCLUSION raced without a tongue tie (declared 22 February 2026 at 09H48). b) VIXENINTHEVINEYARD raced with a tongue tie on (declared 23 February 2026 at 08H25). THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) WAR TALK lame right hind. Veterinary report required prior to racing. Rule 49.7 applies. WAR TALK is required to perform a gallop to the satisfaction of the NHA veterinary department prior to her next engagement. Trainer S G Tarry advised (MB). b) ELUSIVE CHARM not striding out right hind. SCRATCHED: a) EMERALD CITY injured wither (Trainer) (Rule 53.5 applies). DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER: None.