Runner comments, Royal Raceday

POWERED BY BETWAY: Saturday’s ‘Royal Raceday’ at Turffontein is sponsored by Her Serene Highness, Princess Charlene of Monaco. It is staged by the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), supported by 4Racing, and driven by Princess Charlene’s father, Mike Wittstock.

The Earth Centre in Ruimsig is the major beneficiary charity from the Royal Raceday this year. Partnered with 11 schools in Gauteng, they provide equine therapy with horses in supporting the disabled, vulnerable and the disadvantaged.

It’s a serious occasion for punters too, headlined by the Grade 1 R1.25 million HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes (Race 8) over 1600m in which a compact, high-quality competitive field goes to post.

Mike de Kock, back from Australia, will saddle two of the seven runners in the race and he said about the pair: “Desert Miracle needed her last run badly, as we noted in this column. She’s a delicate filly, she needed some time in the paddock to freshen up before that race and she’s come on for it. I’ve aways said that, if she gets to the track in her top form, and with nothing bugging her, she can match strides with the best of them. She has her respiratory issues, it’s one of those things with her. If those issues don’t occur on the day, she’s a massive runner. She is in good form, but there is always a question mark.

“Humdinger remains at the top of her game, very fit. Although she has won over a mile, it was in weaker company and it’s not the ideal trip for her. That said, she is very strong and sound, well above average and tough when she’s up front. She’ll be giving of her best, has a shout.”

Mike has booked in-form Richard Fourie to ride Red Hot Rose in Race 2 over 1160m, reverting to a shorter trip following a good second over 1450m last month. He said: “She looked to have the race won last time and was just caught late. I think she’s a nice filly who will win her share of races. I’m surprised she hasn’t won yet. She’s likely to be better around the turn, but she’s a big runner. This is probably the right race for her.”

Mike wrote with some praise about Bold Act before she won last week – his experiment in bringing her back to a sprint did the trick and she impressed with an easy win under top weight, racing over 1000m on the inside track. She is in Race 5 over 1160m this time and takes a step up against stronger, but she’s set to run well again. “We’re backing Bold Act up quickly, but she remains in good form and that’s why we’re running her again so soon. Sprinting is clearly her game and she warrants inclusion again.”

Well-bred Sharapova is another filly who was expected to win sooner than she did. She had a few setbacks and deservedly got it right in a Maiden Plate over 1450m early in March. She takes a step up to MR80 class – Mike often throws his more promising runners in deep to test them – and he’s hoping for a good post-Maiden run from her. He commented: “Sharapova was just short of her best when she won her first race last time and she has improved. She tries 1600m here, I think she will be suited so I’m expecting a decent run. Include her.”