THERE is plenty to like about Heavenly Blue, the Mike de Kock-trained Juvenile Plate winner over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday.

Mike shares punters’ enthusiasm, though he said on Sunday he’d like to see Heavenly Blue line up against some stronger horses before making a definitive call on his ability.

“On looks and pedigree he seems to have what it takes, but I’m not convinced he’s beaten anything of note yet,” Mike said about Heavenly Blue, a son of Snitzel (AUS) from a mare by El Prado.

Heavenly Blue (Weichong Marwing), comfortable winner.

“What impressed me on Saturday was that he took a step up to race against winners, and simultaneously dropped 200m in distance. He’s an out-and-out staying type, he’ll go 2000m, and on his first run it looked like a mile would be his minimum trip, but he handled the 1400m beautifully, showing how he’d improved,” Mike added.

The Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes on 30 July at Greyville could be the next race for Heavenly Blue, but Mike said: “There is a track and draw bias and taking him down to Durban may present too much of a risk at this point.  We may keep him in Johannesburg for the Summer Feature Season and then aim him at the Cape Classics. But we’ll see, he has more racing to do.”

A steel grey, flashy looker, Heavenly Blue is raced by Mike in partnership with Warne and Wendy Rippon, Arun Chadha and Larry Nestadt.