ANTHONY DELPECH Delpech said if he could choose a horse from the Mike de Kock yard to ride for the R2-million Grade 1 SA Classic over 1 800m at Turffontein on March 31 it would be Royal Ridge, whom he rode to victory recently in the non-black type Egoli Mile, reports DAVID THISELTON.

“He is a straight forward horse and is on the up,” he said.

Royal Ridge.

He confirmed Silver Flyer had needed the run when disappointing in the Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas recently having had to recover from a bout of colic and would be in better shape for the Classic.

However, he added Silver Flyer was a difficult horse to train in the mornings.

He praised Golden Chateau’s win in the Gauteng Guineas but feared that “the others” might improve past him.

Delpech rode one winner at Greyville on Friday night and three at Clairwood on Sunday to take his tally to 112 for the season, which at the time was three behind the Jockeys’ Championship leader Gavin Lerena.

However, he said while it would be great to win the Championships, he would not be “killing himself” to do it and winning big races would be his chief goal.