MIKE de Kock’s top class Australian-bred filly Majmu (photo) is suffering from a virus and has unfortunately been scratched from the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Scottsville on Saturday, but the many-times Champion trainer has fine back up runners in that race as well as a strong hand in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Medallion and an outside chance in the Gr 1 the City of Pietermaritzburg S A Fillies Sprint.

 The Australian-bred More Than Ready colt Banaadeer, who runs in the Medallion, was held in almost as high esteem as Majmu before he was beaten 2,5 lengths by Carry On Alice in the Gr 1 SA Nursery at Turffontein. However De Kock revealed that he had not enjoyed a good preparation before that race as he had to recover from a virus. Carry On Alice takes on the boys again on Saturday and De Kock hoped that Banaadeer could reverse the form. He confirmed that the colt had a high cruising speed, an important asset for Scottsville. On breeding he could well prefer the 1200m trip too. Banaadeer doesn’t have a bad draw of eleven and jockey Anthony Delpech pointed out that the middle part of the course appeared to be favourable down the straight in the last meeting as opposed to the normal trend where everybody wants to be on the inside strip. Delpech is unbeaten in two starts on the classy colt.

De Kock said that there was not much between Banaadeer and his other Medallion contender Anjaal, an Australian-bred colt by Lonhro, who was backed from 6-1 to 9-10 on debut over 1200m at the Vaal. He raced green and ducked away from the whip in the latter stages that day under JP van der Merwe and couldn’t catch another Medallion contender, the Johan Janse van Vuuren Belong To Me. Anjaal is sure to improve from that run and De Kock said, “He is a smart horse.” However, by trends he does have a tough draw of 14 to contend with. Warren Kennedy rides.

De Kock runs the Australian-bred Redoute’s Choice filly Honorine in the City of Pietermaritzburg S A Fillies Sprint. She has had her problems in the past, including a throat operation, but is currently in a good space and won the Gr 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m in her last start.

He said, “She obviously has a bit to find at the weights, but is an improving sort and, although the handicapper gave her 98, I had her running to a rating in the 100s last time. She is better than her rating.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe rode her in the Camellia and has kept the ride, while first call stable jockey Delpech will be aboard the Sean Tarry-trained Jackodore.

De Kock has three remaining runners in the Allan Robertson, the Australian-bred Rock of Gibraltar filly Alborean Sea, the Trippi filly One Fine Day and the Australian-bred Shamardal filly Shahrasal.

He said, “Alborean Sea is above average, One Fine Day is very quick, it might be too far for her, and it might be a little too short for Sharasal.”

All of them have cracked favourable low draws. – Gold Circle.