Race 6: RACING TODAY MR 66 HANDICAP (Open)

VAAL RACECOURSE | Tuesday, 31 March 2026 | 15:00

Distance: 2000m
Going: Good
Stakes: R90,000
Weight For Age(SSL) 3yrs:4.5 Weight For Age(SNL) 3yrs:6.5 4yrs:0.5

Race Results

Pos Horse A.C.S. Weight Draw Jockey Len MR CMR Odds
- Gift Of Royal 3 b. g 56.0kg 10 - - - 58 16/1
1st Itsnowornever TF 5 b. g 56.0kg 8 Mr M A Yeni - 58 64 33/10
2nd Thambi 5 ch. g 53.0kg (54.5) 6 Mr M Mbuto 3.8 55 55 8/1
3rd Gold De Grace 4 ch. g 52.5kg 4 Mr P Mxoli 4.9 51 51 40/1
4 Instant Attraction 3 b. f 57.5kg 10 Mr R Munger 5.1 61 60 6/1
5 Circle Of Grace 4 b. g 53.0kg 3 Mr K Matsunyane 6.2 52 51 10/1
6 Red Sparrow 3 ch. f 55.5kg 2 Mr J R Syster 8.9 57 55 25/2
7 Chickasaw 2 b. f 56.0kg (58.5) 7 Mr B Marx - Jacobson 9.65 72 67 16/1
8 Six Of All 2 b. g 61.0kg 5 Mr G J Lerena 9.9 77 74 6/1
9 Hat Furious 4 b. g 54.5kg 9 Mr M K Katjedi 9.95 55 53 8/1
10 Flag Bearer 3 b. g 56.5kg (58.0) 1 Mickaelle Michel 16.95 62 60 25/1
11 Vava Vegas 5 ch. g 56.0kg 11 Mr C Zackey 99.99 58 58 7/1

Race Timing

Winning Time
121.81s
Average Time
123.49s
Difference
%.2fs
Total Pool
R1,046,000

Rating Analysis

Horse Pos MR Before MR After Official Δ Expected Δ Discrepancy
Itsnowornever 1 58 64 +6 + 7 -1
Thambi 2 55 55 0 -2 + 2
Gold De Grace 3 51 51 0 -2 + 2
Instant Attraction 4 61 60 -1 -2 + 1
Circle Of Grace 5 52 51 -1 -3 + 2
Red Sparrow 6 57 55 -2 -3 + 1
Chickasaw 7 72 67 -5 -4 -1
Six Of All 8 77 74 -3 -4 + 1
Hat Furious 9 55 53 -2 -4 + 2
Flag Bearer 10 62 60 -2 -6 + 4
Vava Vegas 11 58 58 0 -10 + 10
Gift Of Royal None - 58 - -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)	ITSNOWORNEVER (M Yeni) was stubborn loading.
b)	SIX OF ALL (G Lerena) jumped inwards leaving the stalls.	
c)	GOLD DE GRACE (P Mxoli) was 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, GOLD DE GRACE (P Mxoli) was bumped in by SIX OF ALL (G Lerena), which jumped inwards leaving the stalls.	
c)	Jockey C Zackey felt something amiss with VAVA VEGAS in running and eased this gelding out of the race in the concluding stages. Thereafter, Jockey C Zackey reported that VAVA VEGAS did not stride out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. 
d)	In view of the performance of SIX OF ALL (G Lerena), (distance 9,90 lengths, betting 6/1), the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine.	
e)	In view of the performance of FLAG BEARER (M Michel), (distance 16,95 lengths, betting 25/1), the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine.		
f)	ITSNOWORNEVER (M Yeni), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis.	
Trainer J Borman was advised (MduP).
	
JOCKEY CHANGES:
a)	RED SPARROW was ridden by Jockey J R Syster (declared 31 March 2026 at 08H26).		

RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER:
None.
			
THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:
a)	VAVA VEGAS lame right front. Veterinary report required prior to racing. Rule 49.7 applies. 
Trainer J Borman advised (RC). 	
b)	SIX OF ALL examined post-race, nothing obvious detected.
c)	FLAG BEARER abnormal respiratory noise and coughing post-race.	

SCRATCHED:
a)	GIFT OF ROYAL insufficient recovery time (Trainer) (Rule 53.5 applies).	

DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER:

None.