ACCORDING to journalist David Thiselton from Gold Circle, Mike de Kock has already secured his eighth National Trainers Title – without having to sweat it out with close challenger Sean Tarry at the last meeting of the season scheduled for Scottsville tomorrow.

Another report suggested yesterday that the title chase would go down to the line, but it appears the writer got his facts wrong. Uhm, well, we’re not going to have a nice little dig at our friend Jack Milner before it’s all official – we’ll wait for the Jockey Club’s All-Clear on Thursday – but the champagne corks will probably pop in advance anyway.

Other excellent news is that Summerhill Stud looks likely to secure their ninth successive Breeders’ Title, wresting it away from hard-knocking Klawervlei Stud.

Thiselton writes in the Mercury on Tuesday: “”With just two days left of the season Tarry is R354 712 behind leaving De Kock champion for the eighth time.”

Tra la la… ok then. When’s Happy Hour?

Jack Milner responds:

I would love to audit the figures of the NHA. Yesterday (Monday), the entire day, they showed Mike had a lead of R229 712 which made it mathematically possible for Sean to catch Mike. By last night the figure changed to R354 712. How that is possible with neither trainer having runners on Monday is amazing.

I took the figure on Sunday night which was somewhere between the two. I would love to know what it will be by the end?????. Regards, Jack.

So Jack, you think we may be celebrating too soon? – ed.