ERTIJAAL (photo) and Kingston Mines will be Mike de Kock’s representatives on J&B Met Day, this coming Saturday at Kenilworth. Both are reported to be in good shape.

The unbeaten three-year-old Ertijaal (Gr1 Cape Derby, 2000m) and year-older handicapper Kingston Mines (Gr2 J&B Urban Honey Stayers, 2800m), were shipped to Cape Town last Thursday and are based at trainer Brett Crawford’s yard at Philippi, where Alboran Sea spent a few weeks before winning last weekend’s Gr1 Cape Flying Championship.

Assistant trainer Mathew de Kock leaves for the Cape today and will be overseeing the final bits of prep for the stable’s pair of big-day runners.

Mathew said: “We sent Ertijaal and Kingston Mines to Cape Town early, like we did with Alboran Sea. It works for some horses, Alboran Sea loved the beach and the sea air. Our latest two also travelled very well and seem to be enjoying the sea breeze too. All is fine so far.”

Diane de Kock snapped the pics below whilst in Cape Town last week.

  Ertijaal, looking fresh and happy.

 Kingston Mines took a roll in the sand.