MIKE de Kock saddled a feature double for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Al Adiyaat South Africa at Turffontein Saturday when Vaseem won the Gold Rush Sprint over 1100m and Fayrooz bagged the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial over 2000m.
Vaseem (1-1 favourite) was carried across the track by the tenacious leader Arapaho, but jockey Callan Murray knew what he had underneath him. With 300m to run, Vaseem was taken around to Arapaho’s inside, where he eventually quickened away for an eye-catching 1.25-length success.
Vaseem was well handled by Callan Murray to get the better of the drifting Arapaho. (JC Photos).
Mike commented: “Both winners are by sires I really rate these days, Vercingetorix and Flower Alley. Vaseem (Vercingetorix from a Giant’s Causeway mare, Klawervlei Stud) is very progressive. He is a quality horse over 1400m too, we’ll have to see about a mile, we’ll have to try again. He was bought at the Cape Premier Sale last year for R275,000 when Sheikh Mohammed decided to support Vercingetorix.
Fayrooz (Flower Alley from a Fort Wood mare, Rosedene Stud), went for only R150,000 at the same sale and was resold at the CTS Ready To Run.
Mike said: “Fayrooz is from the family of Fair Maiden (who produced a Gr3 winner last week). She’s always shown us a fair bit in work. She ran on very well second time out over 2000m, when she was green. She was well handicapped in the Oaks Trial, ran off a MR74, but should also go on to win more. Fayrooz is an improver. Being by Flower Alley she will get better with age.”
Mike thanked Sheikh Mohammed and said: “The Sheikh’s yellow and blue silks are very familiar in Graded and feature races in South Africa. I met with him in Dubai just recently. He is keen to get back up there, which is good news for SA racing.”
