Four-year-old Iphiko’s winning run started with her Maiden at Greyville on 21 August – she’s stepped up in all of her three runs since and posted her fourth successive success over 1000m at Turffontein Saturday, this time for visiting jock Richard Fourie.
Iphiko skipped clear to win by 2.5-lengths and looks good enough to be tried in a feature race now and Mike de Kock commented: “I guess we have to start setting our sights higher. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a horse go up the ratings like her – nice for her to have the opportunity to go through the divisions which is so rare these days. It seems she really is suited by firmer ground so we’ll definitely need to look at a Cape campaign for her this summer.”
Iphiko: Looks like Richard enjoyed that, too.
Iphiko races for the Hollywood Syndicate (nominee Anthony Delpech) and Mike said: “It’s good to train a decent sort for Hollywood, well done to all involved.” Iphiko is by Trippi from Valor Red (Western Winter) and was bred by Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International.
Mike’s own four-year-old Alfaatik (Kingsbarns), came home with long, fluent strides to win his Maiden by 5.5-lengths, after a long layoff. He’d suffered a knee chip but has come back well and Mike said: “Alfaatik was fit enough to run well, but when I saw his opposition in the paddock I decided to have a little bet. This, with respect, wasn’t the strongest field around. He’s an out-and-out stayer worth watching.”
Mikes little flutter didn’t make a difference to late betting – punters who saw the value secured 6-1 and even 13-2 and were very happy to see the white silks with red maltese cross flash past the post with such authority.
Alfaatik, easy, going asay.
