Two Dingaans prospects

Mike de Kock and connections were delighted with the sparkling debut win by Courageous Cat and a commanding comeback win by Aragosta at Turffontein inside track on Saturday. Masaaken provided some pulsating moments too and completed a treble, all competently handled by Gavin Lerena.

Courageous Cat sped away like Lewis Hamilton during a Max Verstappen pitstop, and put 8.50-lengths between himself and the runner-up. Mike said: “He beat a weak field, but he wasn’t fully wound up and he’s a horse that shows ability in work, so he looks like a good Dingaans prospect.”

Courageous Cat races in the silks of Steven Jell, in partnership with Jessica Jell, Diane de Kock, Noeline Malherbe, Spencer Cook and Murray Makepeace.  His by internationally successful stallion Kitten’s Joy from Tamdiid, by Horse Chestnut – herself a full-sister to Lucifer’s Stone, Horse Chestnut’s only US Grade 1 winner.

“Jessica purchased Tamdiid in the US, then we sent her to Kitten’s Joy southern time and imported her in foal,” explained Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock.

Aragosta, Mike said, is a horse that needs further, but the Dingaans is a possibility because he is a quality horse. “He’s from a Galileo mare and will be better further than a mile, as we saw from this 1800m win, but he won a good race under 57,5kg against hard knockers and we may take our chances.”

Aragosta, by Rafeef, is owned by Mike, JJ van der Linden, and another winner on the day for the other partners, Murray Makepeace and Noeline Malherbe.

Aragosta, impressive comeback.

Hollander Andre van Schaik is enjoying a good run around the country, and Masaaken has proved a good investment for him in partnership with Mike. She was game as they come in an extended, drawn-out battle with Princess Kesh in a 2200m handicap, and got the better of her younger rival in the shadow of the post.

“She doesn’t know how to give up, all heart and improving,” Mike said.

Masaaken, big heart. (JC Photos).