Turffontein 25 March: Runner comments

Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock’s runner previews for Turffontein, Saturday:
(Woman Of Power has been withdrawn from Race 6, she has a virus).

Desert Miracle (Craig Zackey), Sparkling Water (Kabelo Matsunyane) and Humdinger (Richard Fourie) make up almost half of the field in Race 4, a Pinnacle Plate over 1400m. Mike said: “Desert Miracle and Sparkling Water returned to Johannesburg after their Cape campaigns, one was successful and the other didn’t do too well, but this is a new term full of possibilities.

“I gave both of them a few weeks off after their Cape spell before they came back into full training. They are extremely well, but short of their best. I am preparing them for the Empress Club Stakes and the Premiers Challenge.

“Humdinger has been a lovely filly to train, she is consistent and fit as a fiddle, with a good draw in a small field. There are no excuses for her in this race, we’re expecting a good run.”

Gimmeanotherchance (Keagan De Melo) was backed to win his 1160m debut at the end of February, but he was run out of it in the final strides and placed second. Mike’s got him entered for the G3 Protea Stakes over 1100m, racing against three others who have already won, and he said: “I was quite surprised that Gimmeanotherchance got beat first time out, but he cut throats for 1000m with a claiming apprentice and that took its toll. I think he’ll be a miler, this is too short for him but we rate him quite highly. He will be getting 3kg from the winners, but he’s got ability and he should run well.”

Cool Winter (Matsunyane) goes to post in Race 9 over 1160m and Mike commented: “It’s a tough ask for him on his rating of 81 in this handicap. He’s got another win in him, but he’s struggling on this mark. Not confident of a win, but include in Quartets.”