At this stage there has been no change to the protocols for horses to leave South African shores so De Kock will have to take his runners through Mauritius, then into Europe and finally into Dubai.“The horses will go into quarantine in Cape Town for 21 days and then they go off to Mauritius, where they will have to have a 90-day ‘residency’. After that they will fly to Europe for a further 30 days, before being sent on to Dubai,” explained De Kock.

“Why we have to first go to Europe from Mauritius inexplicable. There is no science or logic to the rationale. We will be spending 90 days in Mauritius, where there is no African horse sickness. If it’s good enough for the European Union to take us from Mauritius, why is not good enough for Dubai?

“Looking at it from the other point of view, if there is a risk to Dubai, why is it not a risk to Europe?”

De Kock is currently in Mauritius to check on the conditions on the island. “This is a long way for the horses to travel and there is always a concern because they have to take three flights.”

At this stage, De Kock has not finalised the list of horses leaving the country but it will be headed up by Vodacom Durban July and J&B Met-winning filly Igugu. Also on their way will be unbeaten two-year-old colt Soft Falling Rain, along with The Apache, Royal Ridge, Kavanagh, Jet Legend and recent winner El Estruenoso.

Kavanagh was a bit of a surprise addition, especially after his unplaced run in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes recently. However, De Kock explained: “I thought we were going into quarantine at the end of April so I stopped working him and unfortunately he went into the Drill Hall Stakes a little underdone. I think he will love the Tapeta track in Dubai.

“Jet Legend has a decent merit rating and I think we can pick up a few handicaps with him.”

Looking at the KwaZulu-Natal season, De Kock said Ilha Bela took her win in the Grade 2 SA Oaks very well. “She’s still in Joburg and she’s doing well on the Polytrack, which has brought out the best in her. I think we will raid from here rather than base her in Durban.”

Her first mission is the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville in June, and then the Durban July.

“At this stage of the game she’s put her hand up and she looks a runner for the July, but there are some older horses that also have chances, one of them being Berry Blaze.

“Her last run over 1450m at Turffontein was far too short, but she could be an interesting proposition.”

As far as Grade 1 President’s Champions Challenge winner Europa Point is concerned, De Kock said: “She staying in Johannesburg at this stage. I think we’ll look at the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes or the Gold Challenge as a possibility for her.”

Headline photo: Igugu, Dubai-bound.

GR 1 GOLDEN HORSE CASINO SPRINT, R600,000, 1200m

Sc# Horse               Mass   MR       Draw   B  A  T  Jockey        Trainer
1   WHAT A WINTER       60.0  117 (117)    6      A     B Fayd’Herbe  Mike Bass
2   LINK MAN            57.0  111 (111)   12      A     A Delpech     Mike de Kock
3   DELIVER THE POWER   56.5  113 (110)    2      a     B Lerena      Dominic Zaki
4   ANTIOUS             56.5  110 (110)    1      A     K Latham      H Brown/Robinson
5   CASTLETHORPE        56.0  109 (109)   16      A     K Neisius     Mike Bass
6   SNOWDON             55.5  108 (108)   11      A     P Strydom     Ormond Ferraris
7   RUSHING WIND        55.0  107 (107)   15   B  A     S Randolph    Mike Bass
8   COPPER PARADE       54.5  106 (106)    9   B  A     R Fourie      Joey Ramsden
9   REBEL KNIGHT        54.5  106 (106)    5      A     K Teetan      Gary Alexander
10  DELAGO DELUXE       54.0  108 (105)   17   B  A     A Marcus      Charles Laird
11  DEPARDIEU           54.0  108 (105)    3      A     R Fradd       Dean Kannemeyer
12  UNANNOUNCED         54.0  108 (105)   10      A     R Danielson   Charles Laird
13  MOROCCAN            53.0  103 (103)    7      A  T  S Veale       Weiho Marwing
14  TWO TONE            53.0  103 (103)   13      A     C Orffer      Mike Azzie
15  SHADES OF INDIGO    52.0  101 (101)    8   B  A     G Hatt        Joey Ramsden
16  THE SHARK           52.0  100 (100)   14   B  A     M Byleveld    Dean Kannemeyer

Reserve Runners
17  MIKE’S CHOICE       52.0   98 ( 98)    4   B  A     Reserve 1     Michael Roberts
Couplings: (1,5,7) (8,15) (10,12) (11,16)

GR1 SA FILLIES SPRINT, R500,000, 1200m

Sc# Horse               Mass   MR       Draw   B  A  T  Jockey          Trainer
1  WELWITSCHIA         60.0  109 (109)    3      A     A Delpech       Mike de Kock
2  EBONY FLYER         60.0  107 (107)    9      A     B Fayd’Herbe    Justin Snaith
3  STATE BLUE          60.0  107 (107)    2      A     P Strydom       Justin Snaith
4  CHOCOLICIOUS        60.0  102 (102)    8      A     K Latham        Brown / Robinson
5  ROMANTIC MOON       60.0  102 (102)    6      A     I Sturgeon      Duncan Howells
6  BARCELONA WINTER    60.0  101 (101)    4      A     S Veale         Yogas Govender
7  GIVE ME FIVE        60.0   99 ( 99)    1      A  T  B Lerena        Sean Tarry
8  WISHFUL EYE         60.0   98 ( 98)    5      A     A Forbes        Alyson Wright
9  JOLLY POPPINS       60.0   90 ( 90)   12      A     C Maujean       Louis Goosen
10  TORRA BAY           60.0   90 ( 90)   13      A     K Shea          Dennis Drier
11  PRINCESS VICTORIA   58.5  109 (106)   10      A     S Cormack       Glen Kotzen
12  SHE’S A STUNNER     58.5  105 (102)   11      A     R Fradd         Deon Visser
13  JACKODORE           58.5  100 ( 97)   14      A     A Marcus        Sean Tarry
14  COMTESSE DUBOIS     58.5   99 ( 96)    7      A     R Fourie        Justin Snaith

Couplings: (2,3,14) (7,13)

GR1 TSOGO SUN MEDALLION, R500,000, 1200m

Sc# Horse               Mass   MR       Draw   B  A  T  Jockey         Trainer
1  BLIZZARD OF OZZ     58.0    0 (  0)    6      A     A Forbes       Dennis Drier
2  CAPE ROYAL          58.0    0 (  0)   14      A     K Neisius      Dean Kannemeyer
3  CONTADOR            58.0    0 (  0)    1   B  A     A Marcus       Charles Laird
4  DANESCO             58.0    0 (  0)    9      A     P Strydom      Weiho Marwing
5  DONNIE BRASCO       58.0    0 (  0)   13      A     C Little       Paul Peter
6  FLY ME OVER         58.0    0 (  0)    8      A     S Cormack      Glen Kotzen
7  GO AGAIN            58.0    0 (  0)   15      A     K Latham       Brown / Robinson
8  LOVE STRUCK         58.0    0 (  0)   11      A     K Teetan       Paul Lafferty
9  MY JELLY BEAN       58.0    0 (  0)    3      A     C Orffer       Ivan Moore
10  OTTIMO              58.0    0 (  0)   12   C  A     S Randolph     Ivan Moore
11  PEANUTS             58.0    0 (  0)    7      A     D David        Roy Magner
12  POTENT POWER        58.0    0 (  0)    4      A  T  K Shea         Dennis Drier
13  REIGN AS KINGS      58.0    0 (  0)    5      A     A Delpech      Mike de Kock
14  TWITTER             58.0    0 (  0)   10      A     M Byleveld     Vaughan Marshall
15  ZIPARANA            58.0    0 (  0)    2      A     R Fradd        Weiho Marwing
16  STRAIGHT SET        55.5    0 (  0)   16      A     J P v’d Merwe  Corne Spies

Couplings: (1,12) (4,15) (9,10)

GR1 ALLAN ROBERTSON CHAMPIONSHIP, R500,000, 1200m

Sc# Horse               Mass   MR       Draw   B  A  T  Jockey         Trainer

1  AL KINDI            58.0    0 (  0)    9      A     K Shea         Mike de Kock
2  ALL IS SECRET       58.0    0 (  0)    8      A     M Byleveld     Vaughan Marshall
3  COUNTER RIDGE       58.0    0 (  0)    2      A     K Latham       Brown / Robinson
4  FRANNY              58.0    0 (  0)    5      A     R Fourie       Gavin van Zyl
5  KING’S TEMPTRESS    58.0    0 (  0)   10      A     K Teetan       Kumaran Naidoo
6  LONSOME DOVE        58.0    0 (  0)    3      A     A Delpech      Mike de Kock
7  REBEL QUEEN         58.0    0 (  0)    4      A     R Danielson    Corne Spies
8  SEA SHADOW          58.0    0 (  0)    7      A     B Lerena       Dominic Zaki
9  TRIP TO EDEN        58.0    0 (  0)    6      A     J P v’d Merwe  Corne Spies
10  VALDIVIA            58.0    0 (  0)    1      A     A Marcus       Vaughan Marshall

Couplings: (1,6) (2,10) (7,9)

Headline photo: Link Man, Golden Horse Sprint.

Chesalon heads the handicap to be run at Greyville on Tuesday evening and trainer Mike Bass will be hoping for better luck this time round as his charge missed his J&B Met engagement through injury.

Chesalon, currently in eleventh place on the provisional Vodacom Durban July Log, made a smart Champions Season debut when second behind Tales Of Bravery in the Drill Hall Stakes and the Betting World should bring the former Winter Classic and Premier Trophy winner nicely to the boil.

Hard-knocking Lion In Winter will need to step up on recent form if he is to have a chance here and is a borderline July entry but the Brett Crawford-trained Polar Bound is in the top twenty and put a very useful field to the sword in his Champions Season debut. He has come into his own this season, winning four of his last five starts including the Peninsular Handicap beating Astro News who is also in the Betting World line-up and doing duty for Greg Ennion.

The crack filly Beach Beauty was arguably unlucky in the J&B Met and made a smashing return to the track when runner-up to top sprinting filly Princess Victoria at Clairwood recently. The Dennis Drier-trained filly will be much better suited to the 1900m and will be a strong contender for top honours.

Vaughan Marshall is having a season to remember and saddles former Investec Cape Derby winner Top Seller who recently finished second to Gold Onyx at Scottsville. But while Top Seller is currently tenth on the July log, Gold Onyx is still borderline. Gold Onyx was a tad unlucky not to make the Vodacom Durban July field last year but is on track this season, winning his last two but as mentioned Sean Tarry’s runner is still outside the top twenty on the Vodacom Durban July log.

Mike de Kock is seldom without an entry in a big feature and saddles three runners in Solo Traveller, Berry Blaze and Golden Chateau. However, all three are borderline July candidates who may possibly need to win here to make the big race field.

TAB and Phumelela Gaming and Leisure are proud to announce the launch of the Soccer13 to South African sports fans. Betting on the first ever Soccer13 pool will open on Friday 18 May at TAB outlets across the country and the pool closes at 14:00 on Saturday 19 May.

The Soccer13, like other soccer bets offered by the TAB, requires that you select the result for 13 pre-determined soccer matches from three possibilities: a home win, draw or an away win.

Dividends will be paid to anyone with 10 or more correct results with a percentage of the pool being shared amongst the winners in each bracket on the following basis:

        All 13 matches correct – 40% of the pool (Average pay out: R2 000 000)
        (Single ticket winner of 13 from 13 guaranteed over R10 million)
        Any 12 matches correct – 12% of the pool (Average pay out: R9 000)

        Any 11 matches correct – 15% of the pool (Average pay out: R 485)

        Any 10 matches correct – 25% of the pool (Average pay out: R 110)

with the remaining 8% funding the R10 million guaranteed prize.

The unit of betting is only R1.20 per bet (or per combination for permutation bets) and when asked about Soccer13 Phumelela’s Betting Executive, Vee Moodley, said “This is a fantastic bet to launch in South Africa, where else can you turn R1.20 into a possible R10 million. I’m thrilled that we have been able to bring this bet here and can now offer our sport punters the opportunity of a life time. I think our customers are going to be as excited about the Soccer13 as we are!”

The Soccer13 will be hosted by Svenska Spel in Sweden and therefore host rules will apply, some rules worth noting are:

•      The unit of betting (currently R1.20) and prize guarantee is linked to the host country’s currency and may fluctuate over time
•      Results are based on the 90 minute result – No extra time or penalties
•      A carryover will occur if there are no 13 out of 13 winners and also if any dividend is R15 or less
•      A special draw will be conducted to determine the result should a match:

-        start before the start of the pool

-        be abandoned

-        be postponed by more than two days from original scheduling

-        not be completed normally

•      In the event of a communication breakdown to the host, the pool will be refunded
•      Betting closes two hours prior to match kick-off

NEVER before have TAB customers had the opportunity to win this big for such a small investment; it really could change your life. With Soccer13 you’re only thirteen correct results away from living your dreams!

For more information visit www.soccer6.co.za

Ingrid and Markus Jooste’s three-year-old got into a railside position early, from a wide draw, settled nicely and then went to the centre of the track and quickened after the turn for home. He came under some pressure from horses on both sides of the track, but had their measure 150m out and won well.

Vettel wins, going away. (Gold Circle).

“He’s a lovely horse and he stays well,” confirmed Delpech.

Mike de Kock, on course, commented: “Vettel is a big, strong horse and a good, solid stayer. He’s sound too. We bought him in Brazil and we haven’t got to the bottom of him yet.”

The headline photo by Monique is of Europa Point winning the Champions Challenge.

This was Meadow Magic’s fifth win from only 12 starts and he’s won over 1200m and 1450m with good places over 1000m, 1600m and 1800m.

Assistant trainer John Buckler commented: “Meadow Magic’s versatility is his best trait. He’s also comfortable on sand and turf and we’ll look for a little feature race for him, somewhere along the line. He hasn’t stopped improving.”

Meadow Magic is owned by Larry Nestadt, Greg Blank, Philip Georgas, Marshall Finlay and Selwyn Nathan.

Headline photo: Meadow Magic (blue silks), draws clear.

GR1 DAILY NEWS, R1-MILLION, 2000m

DR HORSE A/S WGT M/R TRAINER
1 JACKSON (3C) 0.0 116 Brett Crawford
15 VARIETY CLUB (3C) 0.0 116 Joey Ramsden
10 POMODORO (3C) 0.0 108 Sean Tarry
13 ROYAL BENCHER (3G) 0.0 108 Alec Laird
2 ASTRO NEWS (3G) 0.0 107 Greg Ennion
11 TRIBAL DANCE (3C) 0.0 105 Vaughan Marshall
8 ZAMBUCCA (3C) 0.0 104 Saeed Mohideen
3 GOLDEN CHATEAU (AU (3C) 0.0 102 B Mike de Kock
16 WHITELINE FEVER (3G) 0.0 102 Sean Tarry
9 MASTER PLAN (3G) 0.0 98 Greg Ennion
14 TAIPAN (3C) 0.0 97 Dean Kannemeyer
4 WINTER MISCHIEF (3C) 0.0 94 Herman Brown/Frank Robinson
7 BARACAH (3C) 0.0 93 Sean Tarry
12 VETTEL (ARG) (3C) 0.0 89 Mike de Kock
5 PREMIUM WOOD (3G) 0.0 85 Yogas Govender
6 BAD NEWS MEEUWS (3G) 0.0 73 Dennis Drier
(16)

Vettel, Daily News entry.

GR1 WOOLAVINGTON STAKES, R500,000, 2000m

DR HORSE A/S WGT M/R TRAINER
17 DUBAI GINA (AUS) (3F) 0.0 104 Vaughan Marshall
11 ILHA BELA (3F) 0.0 104 Mike de Kock
9 THUNDER DANCE (3F) 0.0 104 Brett Crawford
2 BAMBINA STRIPES (A (3F) 0.0 101 Dennis Drier
12 FELIX THE CAT (3F) 0.0 100 Duncan Howells
15 KALAMI (3F) 0.0 100 Robbie Sage
10 BELOVED BETTY (3F) 0.0 99 Glen Kotzen
4 BERMUDA SLOOP (3F) 0.0 94 B Dean Kannemeyer
16 AVENUE OF GOLD (3F) 0.0 92 Weiho Marwing
8 TRESCO (3F) 0.0 91 Sean Tarry
13 VIVA MARIA (3F) 0.0 88 Mike de Kock
6 TAJMEEL (AUS) (3F) 0.0 86 Mike de Kock
3 RAZZLE DAZZLE ROSE (3F) 0.0 85 Yogas Govender
5 JET SET MODEL (3F) 0.0 82 Sean Tarry
7 PINTARI (AUS) (3F) 0.0 79 B Duncan Howells
1 EUROPE TO AFRICA ( (3F) 0.0 77 B Greg Ennion
14 HIJACKED (3F) 0.0 74 Greg Ennion
18 MISTY MORN (3F) 0.0 74 Duncan Howells
(18)

GR 3 LONSDALE STIRRUP CUP, R200,000, 2400m

DR HORSE A/S WGT M/R TRAINER
16 ILSANPIETRO (BRZ) (5G) 0.0 111 C Mike de Kock
25 SEAL (4G) 0.0 110 B Gavin van Zyl
29 ENGLISH GARDEN (4G) 0.0 107 Mike Bass
8 SAGE THRONE (4G) 0.0 105 Colin Scott 26
IN WRITING (ARG) (6G) 0.0 103 Dean Kannemeyer
32 SAFWAN (AUS) (5G) 0.0 103 Mike de Kock
1 ASLAN (6G) 0.0 102 B Sean Tarry
33 CAPTAIN’S WILD (5G) 0.0 102 Mike de Kock
6 BLAKE (5G) 0.0 101 B Dean Kannemeyer
24 BAY ROUTE (5G) 0.0 100 Deon Visser
13 CAYMEN ISLAND (6G) 0.0 100 Yogas Govender
22 SOUL MASTER (4G) 0.0 100 Geoff Woodruff
5 ATLANTIC OAK (GB) (5M) 0.0 98 Mike de Kock
4 ORCHARD HOUSE (4G) 0.0 97 Joey Ramsden
34 TAIPAN (3C) 0.0 97 Dean Kannemeyer
23 THANKS JOHN (6G) 0.0 97 Mike Bass
10 PREDESTINATION (AU (6G) 0.0 96 Joey Ramsden
9 A KING IS BORN (4G) 0.0 95 Alyson Wright
14 WINTER MISCHIEF (3C) 0.0 94 Herman Brown/Frank Robinson
28 BARACAH (3C) 0.0 93 Sean Tarry
15 GREY COSSACK (5G) 0.0 91 Herman Brown/Frank Robinson
11 KOMATIPOORT (4G) 0.0 91 B Mike Bass
19 KEAT’S DRIFT (8G) 0.0 90 B Deon Visser
7 JEPPE’S REEF (4G) 0.0 89 Mike Bass
27 VETTEL (ARG) (3C) 0.0 89 Mike de Kock
17 LAS RAMBLAS (4F) 0.0 88 James Goodman
31 MACCHIATO (5G) 0.0 88 B Charles Laird
21 ROLL COUNT (4G) 0.0 88 Alec Laird
18 STORM SAGAZ (ARG) (5G) 0.0 88 B Yogas Govender
2 RAPID FLOW (6M) 0.0 87 Paul Lafferty
36 VENGENCE (4G) 0.0 87 B Joey Ramsden
3 DOLOMITE (5G) 0.0 85 Kumaran Naidoo
12 TAMARILLO (5G) 0.0 83 B Craig Eudey
35 CHISLER (4G) 0.0 77 Deon Visser
30 MATERIAL GIRL (4F) 0.0 76 Deon Visser
20 SUNNINGDALE (6M) 0.0 73 Paul Lafferty
(36)

With his win the three-year-old, who won at Meydan during the 2012 Dubai Carnival when trained by Mike de Kock, has qualified himself for the Investec Derby in the first week of June.

Mickdaam, ridden by Tony Hamilton, was held up for a run in the early part, hit the front around 400m out and held on gamely to win by a short head from Model Pupil, with Aiden O’Brien-trained favourite David Livingstone only managing fourth in a small field.

Mike commented:  “Mickdaam’s South African connection goes beyond Dubai. He was bought for Sheik Mohammed at the Tattersalls Sale by Jehan Malherbe’s Form Bloodstock team, so congratulations to all of them!”

Mickdaam is by Dubawi from Ribot’s Guest, by Be My Guest.

Gorongosa, July hopeful.

Here is the latest VDJ Log: