THE De Kock team saddled three winners, a second and two thirds on Saturday at Turffontein’s inside track:
RACE 1: MAIDEN PLATE, 1200m
Malmoos, bright future. (JC Photos).
WINNER: MALMOOS
PEDIGREE: 3bC Captain Al – Justthewayyouare by Fort Wood (USA).
OWNED BY: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
BRED BY: Varsfontein
JOCKEY: Luke Ferraris.
COMMENTS:
Luke Ferraris: “Trip too short, showed his class. Has a beautiful attitude, jumped smartly. He got there, doing nothing. From there, it was plain sailing.”
Mdk: “I’m glad the Maiden is out of our way. It wasn’t the strongest field, but he did it in a professional manner. He’s a scopy horse, going to be progressive. His next start should be over a mile. We’ve taken our time with him. He was very relexed in running, which was great. He’s got a nice future.
RACE 4: MAIDEN PLATE, 1600m
WINNER: KOKESHI
PEDIGREE: 3bF Flower Alley (USA) – Koboshi by Caesour (USA).
OWNED BY: Mapula Sambo and Mike de Kock.
BRED BY: Rosedene Stud
JOCKEY: Callan Murray
COMMENTS:
Callan Murray: “We tracked the leader, who skipped away. Kokeshi was caught flatfooted, but she found her feet and she hot the line extending.”
Mdk: “She is by Flower Alley, and was crying for a bit of ground. A first runner, first winner for Mapula Sambo, who has joined the RA Board. She is a fantastic lady, very enthusiastic about racing, and seems to have the luck, you need a lot of that!”
RACE 6: THE LADY’S STAKES, 1200m
WINNER: GIN FIZZ
PEDIGREE: 4bF Soft Falling Rain – Espumanti (GB) by Dansili (GB).
OWNED BY: Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack).
BRED BY: Wilgerbosdrift and Maurotzfontein.
JOCKEY: Callan Murray
COMMENTS:
Mdk: “Callan rode a very good race. Gin Fizz is another example of a victim of the handicappers being overszealous. She was given a 9 pound penalty for being beaten last season and she has taken nine runs to catch up. The trainers are left to answer to the owners every time. The handicappers have no idea of the pressure they are putting us under. Thank goodness Mary Slack is a patient owner.”