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Vaal racecourse Horse Racing Tips - Get all the racing tips for Thursday, 13 August

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 12 Aug 2026

Simon Lewis 12 Aug 2026

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The Bachelorette is a strong favourite in Race 2.
Trompe L'oeil has some tough opposition in Race 6.
Tracksuit Dave has been in superb form coming into Race 8.
There are eight races at Vaal racecourse on Thursday starting at 12:15 SAST.

Expired

Vaal racecourse has eight exciting races slated for Thursday (Getty Images).

Race 2 – The Bachelorette (4)

Jockey: K De Melo

Trainer: Sean Tarry

The 3-yr-old bay colt Autograph finished third in his last race of his four-race career that began back in May, but the only other runner in the seven-horse field to have a Top 3 finish is the 3-yr-old chestnut filly The Bachelorette.

The Bachelorette debuted with a second place finish at Turffontein on 26 February, followed by a 91-day break. She then ran a disappointing 7/8 at Vaal at the end of May. She’s had a 76-day break and I’m backing her to come back firing to take the win.

Race 4 – Skitt Smiling (5)

Jockey: Malesela Katjedi

Trainer: Phillip / Vermeulen

Skitt Smiling looks a promising finisher after his first two runs, starting with a fourth place debut in a field of nine at Vaal in June. He followed that by placing second in a field of seven at Turffontein a month later. The 3-yr-old bay colt is out of Skitt Skizzle and Keep Smiling.

Competition comes from Crimson Ranger (7-3-3) and One State, who has run 4-4-3-1 but having run just six days ago the legs might be too tired to challenge for the tape.

Race 6 – Trompe L'oeil (8)

Jockey: G Lerena

Trainer: Xander/cor Spies

Trompe L'oeil is a 3-yr-old bay gelding who has made a storming start to his career. He started by claiming first place in a field of nine in his debut at Vaal on 2 July, after which a change of stable saw him place second at Turffontein on 1 August.

Trompe L'oeil will have to outrun some pretty impressive opponents, including hot favourite Hammer Blow who has finished a daunting 2-1-3-2-3 coming into Thursday. Angel’s Oasis (4-4-2-1-2) and Lonely As A Cloud (2-3-8-3-3) are also sure to be pushing Trompe L'oeil for the tape.

Race 8 – Tracksuit Dave (7)

Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane

Trainer: Tony Peter

Tracksuit Dave has had a storming five months at the track, placing 2-1-7-3-3-1 which makes him the first choice to back for the day’s final race. Jockey Kabelo Matsunyane had a great day at Turffontein on Saturday, picking up a win, two second places and a third in his five runs.

Top challengers are Brave Waam and Matroosberg, who have both won in their last few races, but their form has been patchy. Brave Waam comes into the race on the back of 5-5-6-1-8 while Matroosberg has run 7-7-3-4-1-7-5, so I’m sticking with Tracksuit Dave to take the tape.

For a list of all the current favourites with the bookmakers, click here.

Verdict

Vaal Racing

Wins for The Bachelorette, Skitt Smiling, Trompe L'oeil and Tracksuit Dave.

Skitt Smiling Win

Race 4

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Race 2

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Trompe L'oeil Win

Race 6

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Tracksuit Dave Win

Race 8

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