HERE are Mike de Kock’s runner comments for Summer Cup Day, as given to Jack Milner of The Citizen’s Racing Express. 

SANSUI SUMMER CUP
“Mujaarib has had a great preparation. I have no reservations about the distance. I am convinced he will stay. He is by Nadeem and I won the Gold Circle Oaks this year at Clairwood with Tajmeel, who is also by Nadeem. Mujaarib is a laid-back horse and is lazy in running. I like horses who win and he knows how to win. In each of his races he has gone to another level. Every other horse in the field is very well exposed and are all around their maximum ratings. He isn’t. I believe he is still underrated. 

“Silver Flyer has also come through his prep well and comes into this race better off at the weights with the two who finished ahead of him in the Charity Mile. He should have finished one length closer but suffered interference late in the race. He’s a horse – when he’s right – who I believe will handle the trip, and he seems to be right at the moment. The draw over 2000m at Turffontein has not been too much of a problem in the past. Nobody likes a bad draw but this track is quite forgiving.

“Empenoso Henn might not be in this class. Early on he ran with some very nice horses and was just behind them. Whether he is Group 1 level only the race will tell us.

“Ilha Bela has has had a great prep. I think she had a flat run last time but she was dropped four points. I was very happy with her first run but her second race in the Victory Moon was disappointing but a lot of horses ran below their ability. We’ll have to the deal with the draw but that’s Anthony Delpech’s job. I think she is a big runner.

“Ilsanpietro is well exposed. What you see is what you get. He can be up with the pace and he can be dropped out. The jockey can read the race and do what he likes with him. He is a hard knocker and can be in the money but I think it will be hard for him to win.

“Silent Partner is well in at the weights. He is well handicapped and I expect him to run well.

“Vettel also had a great prep but I’m looking to change tactics. I don’t like him in front and would prefer to see him running at them. He’s as well as I’ve ever seen him. In his favour is that he has he has a good draw and Anton Marcus up can get him positioned at no cost to himself at all. ”

 THE MERCHANTS
“Link Man has had a good prep but since he bled (in this year’s Queen’s Plate) he has been terrible over a mile. Even though he won the Gauteng Guineas at this track, every time he has failed it’s been over 1600m. He runs well over this distance. I think the going will be perfect and I’m expecting him to run well. He doesn’t start well – and we just have to accept that – but he comes from off the pace. The jockey just needs to let him stride and do his own thing.  Meadow Magic has been sold to Mauritius and might be scratched.”

 THE FILLIES MILE
“Al Kindi had a good last run. She lost her irons but ran on well. Aneefa is a Classic filly and probably wants a bit further but with Anton Marcus up and a lack of pace in the race, why not take the chance? She has won a handicap and fillies who win handicaps at this stage of their careers must be reasonable. Tayba got too far back last time but ran on well.

THE DINGAANS
“Desert Sheik is a smart horse and on paper looks a certainty to get the mile, but I’m not sure. Trippi’s are not yet showing they get the mile. He’s been a bit problematic to train but he is useful and is definitely in this league.

“Emerald Approach won in a handicap so he can’t be a slouch.  He’s not a horse who gives a lot away at home. One has to rely on the handicap form to judge his ability. He will appreciate the long Turffontein straight. He looks and runs like his father, Right Approach, not that I’m saying he is as good as his father.” 

THE IPI TOMBE STAKES
“Amur Affair is a filly with ability but is problematic. she ran a good race to Katy’s Lane over a mile and in her last start she hit the front too early but still ran third to Rumya.

“Rumya and Festival Of Fire could both be scratched if they draw well for the Fillies Guineas in Cape Town next week.  They’ve both had super preps. Rumya needed it badly last time. She had an infection which put her on the back foot. She’s a tall, lanky filly and she wants to win.Festival Of Fire has beaten fillies at weight for age and she’s won features. She is a top, top filly.”

THE RA HANDICAP
“On pedigree Atlantic Oak will get the trip and I think the race is wide open. It’s probably a case of Kolkata versus the rest. There are a few horses who are in under sufferance and they tend to get in the way. Dunraven is suspect over this 3200m, 2450m is his best trip. Hawk’s Eye will get the distance. I like the prep he’s had and he’s pretty fit.”

RACE 10
“Merhee won a very good race last time, which suggests he will get the mile but I’m not convinced. He’s very well. Perana – who knows? I’ve given up trying to predict what he will do.”

RACE 11
“Balkis  is bred for the trip. I suppose he has an eachway chance in an open race.”

Headline photo: Mujaarib (blue silks, right), and Silver Flyer (green silks, left), have big chances in the Summer Cup on Saturday.