Empowering the youth for the thrill of racing
June 15, 2023
Let’s do the Mambo!
June 19, 2023
Mike’s running Aragosta in the G3 KZN Derby at Scottsville on Saturday, two weeks ahead of the Durban July. The former SA Derby winner is capable on his day and a good run here will go some way to securing a July spot for him. Mike said: “Aragosta is doing quite well, there looks to be one to beat in Shangani. But he seems to be in a good space, has a chance.”
It is interesting to note that Dean Kannemeyer is trying his 1400m specialist, Runaway Song, over the Derby trip in this small field. It may be wise to include this son of Legislate in a covering Jackpot permutation.
Iphiko, who had a satisfactory comeback run in the recent SA Fillies Championship over 1200m at Scottsville, reverts to her best trip (Race 7, 1000m), but her rivals over the shorter dash are also competitive. “Iphiko will have to deal with Isivunguvungu, he is pretty good. But she is well. She should be in the money and is worth including in your play.”
Sunday’s meeting at Kenilworth has been postponed to 24 June, due to heavy rain, but the Turffontein meeting will be going ahead as planned.
Mike’s first of four runners is the well-named Lady Chatterley. She was green but stayed on, on her 1200m debut, in a race won by promising Dolcezza, who franked the form in a stakes race at Greyville last week. “Lady Chatterley is well drawn and she has improved since her debut. She wants the extra and is set to go close here.”
Pied Kingfisher (Race 4, 1600m) was quietly fancied when he finished third, four lengths off Meet The Logans last week. “Pied Kingfisher has had a few chances, we expected a bit more but we’re trying blinkers first time and I’m hoping that has the desired effect. There are a few others in the race here with decent form, but he warrants inclusion.”
Mambo Come Tesio gives in heart what he lacks in talent and from the start of his career Mike has said he’d be a horse that gets better the further he goes. He proved that with a 1600m Maiden win followed by a place over 2000m against stronger and a win over 2400m recently. He steps another level up and goes over 2600m in Race 6, and Mike said: “He stays well, he’s come on and looks well handicapped, he is a runner.”
Climate Control has been called ‘the horse with no distance’ for his consistency from 1400 – 2000m and while he hasn’t won since his Maiden success, he’s been knocking at the door and deserves another visit to the winner’s box. He gets a chance in Race 8 over 1600m and Mike said: “He is well, better over a mile and he tries hard. You have to include him.”
