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Vaal Race 5 - Racing Today Mr 87 Open Handicap (3-Years-Olds)

GOLDEN OPERATOR (1) turned in a nice run last time to finish third over 1600m at Turffontein Inside. Won only try here three back. Ready to win and expected to go close. OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW (6) built on a nice third two starts back at Turffontein Standside with a win over 1400m at Turffontein Standside six-and-a-half weeks ago, getting home by 4.5 lengths. Nicely placed to go back-to-back. AQUARIUS (5) finished 7 lengths from the winner in eighth last time out over 1600m at Turffontein Standside on February 21. Should camp just off the leaders. Will give backers a great sight. NEVER NEVER LAND (2) started at $3.80 last time but could only manage seventh, beaten 2.75 lengths, at Turffontein Inside over 1600m. Has a strong record at this course, scoring two times from four starts. Deserves respect.

Race Time:12:35 PM

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Track:Good

Weather:Clear

Prize Money:$0.00

Distance:1450m

Golden Operator (6)23x1x53

Trainer: Sean Tarry 12 mths 5: 1-1-2

Jockey: Craig Zackey

Weight: 60kgs

3 yo Bay G

Sire: DECLARATIONOFPEACE (USA)

Dam: GOLDEN SPECTRUM (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Spectrum

Stats

Prize Money$9,852.00

Avg $$1,970.40

Win %20.00%

Place %80.00%

Career5: 1-1-2

Track1: 1-0-0

Distance2: 0-0-1

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up3: 1-1-0

2nd Up2: 0-0-2

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good5: 1-1-2

Soft0: 0-0-0

Heavy0: 0-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Third-up today. Resuming 5th of 7 at Turffontein Inside on February 12 over 1450m, 3.5 len behind Speedman with 57kg at $9. Second-up 3rd of 7 at Turffontein Inside on February 26 over 1600m, 2 len behind King Harald carrying 56.5kg at $6.50. Won only try here three back. Ready to win and expected to go close.

Last Starts 35 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Gate	Result	Margin	Starting Price
3/7	26/02/2026	14	GPLATE	$10,950.00	Turffontein	1600m	Good	Craig Zackey	56.5kg	1:38.75	-	5	1. King Harald 2. Bristol Hercules 3. Golden Operator	2.0L	$6.50
5/7	12/02/2026	121	GPLATE	$10,950.00	Turffontein	1450m	Good	Calvin Habib	57kg	1:28.01	-	1	1. Speedman 2. Bristol Hercules 3. Quickfreeze	3.3L	$9.00
1/9	14/10/2025	113	MPLTE	$8,846.00	Vaal	1200m	Good	Craig Zackey	59kg	1:10.52	-	3	1. Golden Operator 2. Major Arcana 3. Power Of Pearls	0.8L	$1.77
3/10	23/06/2025	30	PLATE 2	$9,690.00	Turffontein	1400m	Good	Craig Zackey	60kg	1:26.11	-	5	1. Copper Eagle 2. Sergeant Soqrat 3. Golden Operator	2.5L	$1.25
2/12	24/05/2025	-	PLATE 2	$12,640.00	Greyville	1200m	Good	Craig Zackey	60kg	1:13.68	-	1	1. Soldier Boy 2. Golden Operator 3. Vanakkam	0.3L	$2.10

Never Never Land (2)2156127

Trainer: Stuart Pettigrew 12 mths 7: 2-2-0

Jockey: Gavin Lerena

Weight: 59kgs

3 yo Bay G

Sire: IDEAL WORLD (USA)

Dam: NIKKI (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Fort Wood

Stats

Prize Money$13,316.00

Avg $$1,902.29

Win %28.57%

Place %57.14%

Career7: 2-2-0

Track4: 2-1-0

Distance3: 1-1-0

Tr / Dist3: 1-1-0

1st Up1: 0-1-0

2nd Up1: 1-0-0

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good6: 2-2-0

Soft1: 0-0-0

Heavy0: 0-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Comes off a 35 day let-up. Last start 7th of 9 at Turffontein Inside on February 26 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Fully Loaded carrying 57kg at $3.80. The start before that 2nd of 8 at this track on February 5 over 1450m, 0.5 len behind Monkey Puzzle with 60kg at $1.90. Likely to play a big role.

Last Starts 35 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Gate	Result	Margin	Starting Price
7/9	26/02/2026	21	BM84	$10,530.00	Turffontein	1600m	Good	Philasande Mxoli	57kg	1:38.86	-	2	1. Fully Loaded 2. Carnelo 3. Fire Storm	2.8L	$3.80
2/8	05/02/2026	28	HCP	$8,846.00	Vaal	1450m	Good	Gavin Lerena	60kg	1:27.99	-	6	1. Monkey Puzzle 2. Never Never Land 3. Kotinos	0.5L	$1.91
1/12	08/01/2026	40	HCP	$8,425.00	Vaal	1200m	Good	Gavin Lerena	60kg	1:08.54	-	1	1. Never Never Land 2. Prized Platinum 3. Union Rose	0.8L	$2.00
6/9	29/11/2025	37	HCP	$14,743.00	Turffontein	1600m	Y	Nirvan Nastili	52.5kg	1:40.83	-	9	1. Harun Al Rashid 2. Open Highway 3. Sky Pillar Rock	5.1L	$7.00
5/10	23/10/2025	51	HCP	$8,425.00	Vaal	1450m	Good	Kabelo Matsunyane	56kg	1:26.41	-	8	1. Palace Prince 2. Deception Pass 3. Father Christmas	2.6L	$4.00
1/7	02/09/2025	16	MPLATE	$8,000.00	Vaal	1400m	Good	P Mxoli	57kg	1:23.10	-	4	1. Never Never Land 2. Amandla Ngawethu 3. Thoonsil	2.8L	$2.80
2/8	17/08/2025	-	MPLATE 3	$8,850.00	Turffontein	1200m	Good	P Mxoli	60kg	1:11.70	-	3	1. Warm Reception 2. Never Never Land 3. Slender Silhouette	4.0L	$13.50

Jabari Thimba (3)26x61948

Trainer: J A Janse Van Vuuren 12 mths 7: 1-1-0

Jockey: Calvin Habib

Weight: 58.5kgs

3 yo Chestnut G

Sire: PATHFORK (USA)

Dam: MAKIWARA (USA)

Dam's Sire: Smart Strike

Stats

Prize Money$7,822.00

Avg $$1,117.43

Win %14.29%

Place %28.57%

Career7: 1-1-0

Track3: 0-0-0

Distance4: 1-0-0

Tr / Dist1: 0-0-0

1st Up2: 0-1-0

2nd Up2: 1-0-0

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good6: 1-1-0

Soft1: 0-0-0

Heavy0: 0-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Returns from a 60-day let-up. At the latest run second last of 9 at Turffontein Standside on February 1 over 1400m, 17 len behind Tintin with 55.5kg at $21. The start before that 4th in a small field at this track on January 15 over 1450m, 6 len behind I'm A Fireball carrying 55.5kg at $21. Fully tested on his recent run.

Last Starts 60 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Gate	Result	Margin	Starting Price
8/9	01/02/2026	17	HCP	$10,531.00	Turffontein	1400m	Good	Calvin Habib	55.5kg	1:24.88	-	1	1. Tintin 2. Brave Viking 3. Global Impact	17.0L	$21.00
4/6	15/01/2026	28	GPLATE	$10,952.00	Vaal	1450m	Good	Calvin Habib	55.5kg	1:23.32	-	2	1. I'm A Fireball 2. King Harald 3. Winds Of Change	6.7L	$21.00
9/9	18/12/2025	35	NOV	$8,425.00	Vaal	1700m	Good	Muzi Yeni	57.5kg	1:44.24	-	1	1. Drumnadrochit 2. Mocha Frappe 3. Palace Attack	9.4L	$7.00
1/9	13/11/2025	44	MDN	$9,267.00	Turffontein	1500m	Good	Gavin Lerena	57.5kg	1:31.77	-	8	1. Jabari Thimba 2. Oklahoma Smokeshow 3. Copper Cliff	3.2L	$2.80
6/12	30/09/2025	73	MPLATE	$8,850.00	Vaal	1200m	Soft	Chase Maujean	58kg	1:10.99	-	9	1. African Pride 2. Monkey Puzzle 3. Witch Hazel	7.7L	$6.00
6/10	19/07/2025	21	MPLTE 2	$9,690.00	Turffontein	1400m	Good	Gavin Lerena	60kg	1:25.36	-	6	1. Big Joe 2. Royale Jacket 3. Carnarvon	3.2L	$3.00
2/8	28/06/2025	-	PLATE 2	$9,690.00	Turffontein	1160m	Good	Gavin Lerena	60kg	1:08.76	-	3	1. The Last Duke 2. Jabari Thimba 3. Detailed Forecast	4.3L	$4.00

Blushing Bloom (1)642125x54

Trainer: J A Janse Van Vuuren 12 mths 8: 1-2-0

Jockey: Mickaelle Michel

Weight: 58kgs

3 yo Bay F

Sire: FLOWER ALLEY (USA)

Dam: ROSIER (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Kildonan

Stats

Prize Money$9,404.00

Avg $$1,175.50

Win %12.50%

Place %37.50%

Career8: 1-2-0

Track3: 1-0-0

Distance0: 0-0-0

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up2: 0-0-0

2nd Up2: 0-0-0

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good7: 1-2-0

Soft1: 0-0-0

Heavy0: 0-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming from last on the turn 5th of 10 at this track on February 10 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Season's Greetings carrying 60kg at $34. Last start in a small field at this track on March 5 over 1200m, on a slow track; 13 len behind Speedman with 52.5kg at $21. Well held last time and facing tough task today.

Last Starts 28 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Gate	Result	Margin	Starting Price
4/5	05/03/2026	23	HCP 3	$9,270.00	Vaal	1200m	Soft	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	52.5kg	1:10.52	-	4	1. Speedman 2. Palace Prince 3. Stoneywood	13.2L	$21.00
5/10	10/02/2026	117	BM78 FM	$8,850.00	Vaal	1200m	Good	Keagan De Melo	60kg	1:09.17	-	10	1. Season's Greetings 2. Miss Novax 3. Quiet Winter	1.6L	$34.00
5/7	16/10/2025	60	HCP FM	$6,740.00	Turffontein	1200m	Good	Muzi Yeni	59.5kg	1:14.10	-	7	1. Maverick Queen 2. Whirlybird 3. Western Wishes	7.6L	$6.50
2/6	17/08/2025	17	RBH74 FM	$8,420.00	Turffontein	1200m	Good	Gavin Lerena	57.5kg	1:11.93	-	1	1. Rifle Queen 2. Blushing Bloom 3. Princess Lola	3.2L	$3.50
1/9	31/07/2025	21	MPLTE FM	$8,000.00	Vaal	1200m	Good	Gavin Lerena	57kg	1:10.97	-	1	1. Blushing Bloom 2. Iconic Winter 3. Empress Wu	1.8L	$1.67
2/8	10/07/2025	17	PLATE 2	$9,690.00	Turffontein	1200m	Good	Craig Zackey	57.5kg	1:13.26	-	3	1. Romilly 2. Blushing Bloom 3. Umzingeli Wenyathi	2.1L	$8.00
4/10	23/06/2025	43	PLATE 2	$8,850.00	Turffontein	1000m	Good	Muzi Yeni	60kg	0:58.34	-	8	1. Jazz Pianist 2. Dondoyaki 3. Red Hot Kisses	3.0L	$17.00
6/7	11/05/2025	-	PLATE 2	$8,420.00	Turffontein	1160m	Good	Gavin Lerena	54.5kg	1:08.03	-	7	1. Charming Cheetah 2. Zalatoris 3. Red Penny	13.0L	$17.00

Aquarius (4)43138

Trainer: J A Janse Van Vuuren 12 mths 5: 1-0-2

Jockey: Keagan De Melo

Weight: 57kgs

3 yo Bay F

Sire: RAFEEF (AUS)

Dam: STAR OF EXCELLENCE (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Querari

Stats

Prize Money$7,412.00

Avg $$1,482.40

Win %20.00%

Place %60.00%

Career5: 1-0-2

Track1: 0-0-1

Distance1: 1-0-0

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up1: 0-0-0

2nd Up1: 0-0-1

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good5: 1-0-2

Soft0: 0-0-0

Heavy0: 0-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Comes here off a 40-day let-up. Last start second last of 9 at Turffontein Standside on February 21 over 1600m, 7 len behind Scarlett Heart with 55.5kg at $4.50. Before that 3rd of 8 at this track on January 15 over 1600m, 0.8 len behind Northern Kitten carrying 55.5kg at $6.50. Ran well below expectations last start but can do better.

Last Starts 40 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Gate	Result	Margin	Starting Price
8/9	21/02/2026	37	BM83 FM	$11,370.00	Turffontein	1600m	Good	Keagan De Melo	55.5kg	1:38.94	-	4	1. Scarlett Heart 2. Reece's Wish 3. Into Dancing	7.0L	$4.50
3/8	15/01/2026	30	HCP FM	$9,478.00	Vaal	1600m	Good	Muzi Yeni	55.5kg	1:34.56	-	1	1. Northern Kitten 2. Kensal Green 3. Aquarius	0.8L	$6.50
1/8	16/12/2025	33	MPLATE FM	$8,846.00	Turffontein	1400m	Good	Gavin Lerena	59kg	1:26.79	-	2	1. Aquarius 2. Delaware River 3. Kortvandraad	2.3L	$6.00
3/8	13/11/2025	28	MPLTE FM	$8,846.00	Turffontein	1200m	Good	Gavin Lerena	60kg	1:13.23	-	8	1. Russian Nobility 2. Plumbago Park 3. Aquarius	5.5L	$4.50
4/9	16/10/2025	-	MPLTE	$8,846.00	Turffontein	1000m	Good	Louis Nhlapo	57.5kg	1:00.15	-	5	1. Trajanus 2. Seed Seeker 3. Hammer Blow	6.4L	$17.00

Oklahoma Smokeshow (5)x0x7825131

Trainer: Fabian Habib 12 mths 9: 2-1-1

Jockey: Blaine Marx-Jacobson

Weight: 56.5kgs

3 yo Bay C

Sire: ERIK THE RED (SAF)

Dam: MISS LA DEE DA (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Philanthropist

Stats

Prize Money$13,505.00

Avg $$1,500.56

Win %22.22%

Place %44.44%

Career9: 2-1-1

Track3: 1-0-0

Distance7: 2-1-1

Tr / Dist2: 1-0-0

1st Up3: 0-0-0

2nd Up1: 0-0-0

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good8: 1-1-1

Soft1: 1-0-0

Heavy0: 0-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Racing well recently. Returns from a 47-day let-up. Most recently scored a big 4.5 len win at Turffontein Standside February 14 over 1400m defeating Winds Of Grace with 52.7kg at $5. Before that 3rd of 9 at Turffontein Standside on January 3 over 1400m, 2 len behind Fostinovo carrying 55.5kg at $11. Well placed. Should prove hard to beat.

Last Starts 47 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Gate	Result	Margin	Starting Price
1/9	14/02/2026	42	BM72	$8,420.00	Turffontein	1400m	Y	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	52.7kg	1:27.08	-	1	1. Oklahoma Smokeshow 2. Winds Of Grace 3. Lapis Lazuli	4.4L	$5.00
3/9	03/01/2026	16	HCP	$8,425.00	Turffontein	1400m	Good	Marco V'rensburg	55.5kg	1:25.43	-	1	1. Fostinovo 2. Peregrine Falcon 3. Oklahoma Smokeshow	2.1L	$11.00
1/12	18/12/2025	11	MDN	$9,267.00	Vaal	1500m	Good	Mxolisi Mbuto	51kg	1:30.67	-	3	1. Oklahoma Smokeshow 2. Royale Jacket 3. Red Sunrise	1.8L	$4.30
5/13	07/12/2025	24	MPLTE	$10,110.00	Turffontein	1160m	Good	Kabelo Matsunyane	60kg	1:09.02	-	4	1. Rockaroundtheclock 2. Sakura Hanami 3. Continental King	7.9L	$26.00
2/9	13/11/2025	33	MDN	$9,267.00	Turffontein	1500m	Good	Girish Samo-Burthia	49.5kg	1:31.77	-	1	1. Jabari Thimba 2. Oklahoma Smokeshow 3. Copper Cliff	3.2L	$13.50
8/10	11/10/2025	42	MPLTE	$8,846.00	Turffontein	1450m	Good	Girish Samo-Burthia	54kg	1:29.65	-	6	1. Elusive Red 2. Battle Ofthe Bulge 3. Taskmaster	10.0L	$17.00
7/7	30/08/2025	93	MPLATE 3	$8,850.00	Vaal	1450m	Good	K A Brewer	60kg	1:28.11	-	3	1. Matroosberg 2. My Lucky Charm 3. Winchester	13.0L	$26.00
11/16	29/05/2025	77	MPLATE	$7,580.00	Vaal	1200m	Good	K A Brewer	57kg	1:10.39	-	6	1. Got The Feeling 2. Time Will Tell 3. Palace Prince	13.4L	$21.00
5/7	13/03/2025	-	PLATE 2	$11,170.00	Turffontein	1450m	Good Soft	K Matsunyane	60kg	1:31.93	-	3	1. Whispering Death 2. Chronicle King 3. Mighty Eagle	13.3L	$34.00