Best bets and value tips for racing from the Vaal on Thursday 8th February with selections provided by Winning Form as well as their back page tipster, Magic Tips.

Winning Form Best Bets

Race 1: PIECES OF GOLD(5)
Race 2: DANCING QUEEN(3)
Race 4: NAUTIC SPIRIT(2)
Race 5: MUSTAAQEEM(3)

Magic Tips Best Bets

Race 3: IMPERIAL QUEST(14)

Jockey: L Hewitson - Trainer: S Tarry 

IMPERIAL QUEST built on his promising debut when staying on for 2nd behind a fair sort a fortnight ago and the Tarry inmate should continue to progress. CAPTAIN'S ALPHA returns from a lengthy 24 week rest but he had a fair debut in a decent line-up earlier this campaign and would have strengthened since.

TOP BET

Race 5: MUSTAAQEEM(3)

Jockey: C Murray   - Trainer: M De Kock 

The top class import, MUSTAAQEEM has his belated seasonal debut, possibly due to injury but his world class conditioner's patience could be rewarded. Of course the son of Redoute's Choice had a brilliant juvenile campaign which culminated with his breathtaking Grade 1 success over stablemate Naafer in just his second outing. Naturally, he is extremely well treated by the weights and is still the one to beat despite the layoff.

Race 7: KEANAN'S ROCK(8)

Jockey: J V.D.Merwe - Trainer: S Tarry 

KEANAN'S ROCK finally recaptured his form when equipped with blinkers recently. The bay gelding ran on strongly for a close 2nd over this c & d that day and interestingly escaped without a penalty. The in- form LAUREN OF ROCHELLE was given a top class ride as he beat some quick sorts recently at Turffontein and he is even better on this track. He should be competitive once again despite the resultant four pound penalty.

Race 9: NORDIC REBEL(6)

Jockey: C Zackey - Trainer: E Verdonese 

NORDIC REBEL showed a smart turn of foot under a good ride from today's jockey to win his last effort over this c & d earlier this year. The victory quite surprisingly earned him just the minimum two pound penalty and quite interestingly, he meets the c & d specialist WITCH KING on 3.5kgs worse terms for a half a length defeat in his penultimate start.

VALUE BET (EACH WAY) FOR TODAY:

Race 4: COSMIC MIST(10)

Jockey: M V.Rensburg  - Trainer - S Ferreira

COSMIC MIST was an inexpensive purchase and was unfancied on her debut when she made eye-catching late progress in a competitive c & d affair three weeks ago. The 3rd placed entrant Eleni boosted the form with a solid subsequent victory and this bay filly should make natural progress.

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