HERE are Mike de Kock’s comments for his runners on Champions Day, Saturday 30 April, at Turffontein.
R2-MILLION SA DERBY 2450M GRADE 1
Jubilee Line is probably a horse who will need gelding but he has ability. He is well and I am expecting him to run a big race but I doubt he can beat Abashiri. Mike Azzie’s runner is a class act – nothing who has run with him looks likely to reverse the placings. We are basically all running for second. The only way I can see Abashiri losing is if they crawl but in a true-run race class will prevail. I’m not sure Jubilee Line has the class to win but he will get the distance. He should go into Trifectas and Quartets.
R1-MILLION WORLD SPORTS BETTING COMPUTAFORM SPRINT 1000M GRADE 1
Moofeed has a place chance if he puts it in. That doesn’t always happen but on his day he could be deadly.
Persian Rug, prepared with SA Oaks as her mission.
R1-MILLION SA NURSERY 1160M GRADE 1
Janoobi is a smart horse. He’s more a Guineas horse. We’ve put blinkers on him as he tends to run green. If you want to compete at Group 1 level you can’t be that far back but he has been working well in blinkers. The fact he is this competitive at two years old, being by Silvano, proves he is good. I just hope the blinkers work and he does not need to make up the ground he did last time.
R1-MILLION WILGERBOSDRIFT SA OAKS 2450M GRADE 2
Ignore Persian Rug’s last two starts because she’s been battling with a foot problem. The last few weeks she has been well and is over all the problems. I’m expecting her to run well.
R400,000 GERALD ROSENBERG STAKES 2000M GRADE 2
The Centenary is a nice filly but I’m not sure she’s good enough to beat the likes of Trophy Wife at level weights. But she is honest. I’ve always rated Ahlaam. Her form has been better on sand but she is capable on the day if she puts it in. I wouldn’t leave her out of exotic bets.
R400,000 SA FILLIES NURSERY 1160M GRADE 2
Mike de Kock: Fursa has a place chance in a field that looks quite open so I thought I would have a crack. She won over 1400m last time and probably needs a bit further.
R500,000 GOLD BOWL 3200M GRADE 2
The last time we tried Smart Mart over 3000m he failed to stay but he was a lot younger. He is older and is one to include although there is a slight question mark over trip.
1 Comment
Hello Mike i Have a Keen Interest in South African racing, i watched the champions day races from my Armchair In Great Brittan, I must say the Horses were turned out Magnificently in each race, they all showed a degree of being very High class equines, most of the breeding lines are unfamiliar to me except the likes of Var and some American sires, i just wanted to know how do you think south African Horses have became so strong and Powerful? they look like they could compete on a world level with any other top horses from other top nations how has this been achieved? it seems crazy these horse cant be shown more often on a world stage and the agonizing lengthy process south African trainers and owners have to go through, My Fav Jockeys are S,manga Khumalo, Muzzi Yeni, Anthony Delpech, Brandon Lerena and his Brother, and the Young Lyle Hewitson looks a class prospect along with a few other i like Marcus , Murray Thackery. Munger, a lot of good jockeys over there and of course the Marwaings,