MIKE de Kock understands that from the widest draw of all Toro Rosso will need loads of luck if he is to win Saturday’s R1-million Supreme Cup, sponsored by SAP, over 1450m on the Vaal sand, reports JACK MILNER in Racing Express.

The four-year-old son of Elusive Quality has won three of his five starts – two of them on the Vaal sand – but will jump from barrier No 14.

“Given the draw’s win percentage he has it all to do to win from there,” said De Kock yesterday. “He’s a smart horse and has run well on the surface but he will need a lot of luck. A few horses on his inside will have to slip away for him. Realistically the chances of winning from that draw are poor.”

It is interesting, however, that stable jockey Anthony Delpech has elected to take the ride on Toro Rosso over Mootahadee (headline photo, winning on 10 September) who is well drawn at No 6.

“I’m very happy with Mootahadee,” said De Kock. “He’s had a good prep, he’s got a good draw and he goes into the race very fit. But if both horses were drawn well I would say Toro Rosso would be the slight preference but there wouldn’t be a lot in it.”

Randall Simons, who won on Mootahadee over the course and distance last time, has been engaged to ride the Australian-bred gelding.