HERE are Mike de Kock’s race comments for the Graded Features on Champions Day at Turffontein, Saturday 30 April, as given to JACK MILNER of Racing Express.

“I’m happy with the preps of all my runners (on the day).”

Champions Challenge

Flirtation, post-work, Friday.

“The softer the better for Rudra. He had an impressive win last time out but beat a very dead field. He’s going to have to step it up to beat the up-and-coming horses. However, this is his game. He is down in the ratings, he enjoys Turffontein, loves 2000m, and any more rain will suit him perfectly. At the ratings Captain’s Wild has a lot to do. He is rated 99 but his rating is actually a 99-plus as he is on the up. He does what he has to do but he runs around a lot at the finish. Every time he faces tougher opposition, he steps up. He’s had a great preparation – let’s see if he is good enough. Flirtation has come on a few lengths on her last start but she does have a few to find on Dancewiththedevil. However, she loves this course and distance, she’s very well and I’m expecting a decent run.”

SA Derby

Perana, relaxing in his stable after breakfast on Friday.

“This is probably the best I’ve had Perana in his last few starts. He’s running in cheek pieces this time. We’ve tried him with them at work, taken him through the pens and everything seems well at home. They have made him concentrate more. In his last few starts he’s been slowly out, refused to gallop early on and hung to the outside. More than anything he is really looking for the trip and the ground is to his liking. Now it’s up to him. Dark Wind ran a good race last time out but may be a bit suspect over this distance. He could also be slightly short of Group 1 quality.”

SA Oaks

(see feature elsewhere)

 “Igugu is very well, very fresh and I couldn’t be happier with her right now. Even though she’s by Galileo there is a question mark about the trip. She’s got a lot of speed, a lot of class and I’m expecting a very good run from her. Ilha Grande will definitely see out the trip. She isn’t in the class of Igugu, but I expect her to finish in the first four. She’s good back-up. If Igugu doesn’t get the trip, she will.”

Gold Bowl

JP van der Merwe braved the Friday chill to give Il Sanpietro a stretch.

“Ilsanpietro has been a revelation. The manner of his last win even surprised us and he didn’t get a penalty. When Arcola beat him two runs back, he was not at his best. He has improved quite a bit since then and Turffontein is his game. He would be a Gold Vase and Gold Cup sort of horse.”

SA Nursery

 “I wasn’t expecting Right Beauty to win his first sprint. Being by Right Approach, he will definitely go the Classic distance. If they go hard he will be all over them at the finish. I don’t know how good Delago Deluxe is, but they will have a line through Tennessee Strategy – who Right Beauty beat last time. He’s come on since his last win. He’s a nice sort, an improving sort and I expect him to be in the first four.”

SA Fillies Nursery

Apprentice Denise Lee took newcomer Amanee through her paces on Friday.

”Amanee is a nice filly although she could be a bit green in her first run. She’s impeccably bred, out of a sister to King Mambo. She’s shown us she’s good enough and is as good – if not better – than Amur Affair, who is an above-average filly. She needs to bring the work at home to the racecourse.”

Gerald Rosenberg Stakes

“This is weakest Gerald Rosenberg I’ve ever seen and both Fisani and Alderry have big chances. I’m not sure whether Alderry stays but I would have been silly not to have a go at it in this field. Alderry is a funny filly – she’s either good or bad. I feel Fisani will be more effective over the trip. She ran on very well over 1800m in the Jacaranda Handicap.”