Weekend runner comments

Mike de Kock’s runner comments for Friday, 21 January and Saturday 22 January are:

FRIDAY:

Meydan (Dubai)
Race 1: “We have Albion Square making his debut for us over 1200m.  We’re pretty happy with him, his work has been good. He was busy horse at two with seven runs. He’s freshened up, in England and Dubai. I’d say we’re not far off  peak fitness with him, but there is room for improvement. We’re up against a few unknown quantities from Godolphin that could be anything, so albeit Albion Square has the highest rating there is a question mark about the ratings of some of the opposition, some unknown and some unofficial. He’s a nice sized horse, a sound, good mover and we like him. We’re looking forward to the run.  Whatever he does here, there will be more to come, just frustrating that I can’t be there with the travel ban on.”

SATURDAY:

Turffontein:

Race 1: “Sybaris needed her last, she needs further and is a run short of her best. Place chance.”

Race 4: “Mike’s Chick is a filly I rate, and I have a feeling she needs more ground so this 2000m should suit her. She ran strongly through the line when she beat Candice Dawson’s Perfect Witness over a mile. Pedigree suggests she’ll see it out, so she has a chance here, we’re expecting a good run.”

Race 5: “Keeping The Peace is hard to catch right being inconsistent. The sting out of the ground will help her, this is not a strong field, she’s in a with a chance.”

Race 6: Bureau Des Legendes and Fire Flower are fillies in the race and are well in at the weights with their allowances. But it’s a tough field, won’t be easy to win. But both have won at this track, include them in your play.”

Race 7: “Aragosta ran a big race in the Dingaans last time and is suited to the 1800m, though I’d prefer the standside track for him. Clafoutis is a talented filly, she won well last time and she’s drawn well. A competitive race, but both are expected to right there, include them both in exotics.

Race 8: “Golden Spoon is a limited handicapper, but she has a good draw and could be thereabouts at the finish in this field, again one to include but can’t give you big winning confidence.”

SUNDAY:

Meydan (Dubai)
Race 5: “Magical Land runs for us over 1600m, not well drawn at 10 and ideally I would’ve liked more time between his runs, but we’re under the hammer in the Dubai season with limited races and limited time. This is the right race, though coming a little soon. We’re happy with him and he was impressive in his first start for us. With a bit of luck in running he should go well here, though the second run after a rest worries me a little, but he is happy and fresh, looking the part. So we’re expecting a big run and hoping he can do the job for us so we can get him into better races in the Carnival and programme his races a little better.