Runner comments, Trf 8 October

Gauteng racing returns to the inside track at Turffontein on Saturday and with Randjesfontein trainers still unable to prepare their runners on the centre’s grass track, there will be a number of them short of their best levels of fitness.

Mike de Kock said: “We’re in need of rain. We won’t be able to get the grass exercise track in good order before that happens. Meantime we have to race them to fitness at the race track. Luckily we have a few from Durban who are still fit and a few others working well on sand, they’re coming to hand and can’t be ignored.”

Mike has entered eight runners, starting with Alfaatik in Race 1 over 2000m. This son of Kingsbarns was beaten six lengths and just ran out of the money on his August 2021 debut over 1400m and Mike commented: “He kicked on late that day, obviously a staying sort. But he suffered a chipped knee and was off for longer than a year. I think he’s fit enough to run well after his break, but he will improve for it.”

Here are Mike’s comments for his other runners:

Race 3 over 1000m: “Iphiko has made significant performance in her races – she’s come from a Maiden to three wins in a row and her last win was really impressive. She’s course and distance suited, for sure. There are a few swings in the weights, a big swing in favour of Johan Janse van Vuuren’s filly Black Eyed Beauty. Also Iphiko is in a mixed field this time with colts and fillies in the race. She’s fit and well and has an inside draw. She’s in a similar vein of form and the question is whether the handicapper has caught up with her or not. Could go close.”

Race 4 over 1450m: “Ready To Fly is doing well, nice filly. I’m trying her first time in blinkers as she never really travelled as she should’ve, in her Durban races. This is a competitive lot, she’ll be thereabouts but will improve with the outing into the rest of the season.”

Race 5 over 1450m: “Arividicio is better than his rating, he is a nice horse. I am confident that the extra distance will be to his liking, given his pedigree. He comes off good Durban racing, we’re keen to see him over further now, he could be a big runner.”

Race 6 over 1800m: “Fire Lord comes off a few good runs in Durban and if his form stacks up, he’ll be a runner, but he is well exposed at the ratings.”

Race 7 over 1600m: “Ultra Magnus has his problems, not at best recently. He’s always sprinted, but shows me the heart rate of a horse that should stay further This an experiment with him over a mile in a tough race, let’s see how he goes.”

Race 8 over 1600m: “We have two nice race fillies here in Clafoutis and Mike’s Chick. I think they’ll both improve with this run under their belts, but in this small field you have to include them both a they are very capable on their day.”

POWERED BY BETWAY, AVAILABE ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS ON THE BETWAY INSDER’S BLOG.