Turffontein runner comments, 16 September

With a full card of 14 runners at Turffontein’s inside track on Saturday, Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock and his team will have a busy day saddling. They expect to unsaddle a few in the winner’s enclosure, so read Mike’s comments and ‘get on’, via Betway.

Race 1: “Al Bayreg is doing well. This 1200m is a bit short for him, still, but I’m expecting improvement here. He’ll come on with the run, he won’t miss over more ground. In Al Moohal we have a very nice type of horse. I like what I’ve seen from him in work. He looks progressive and I won’t be surprised if he gets into the frame.”

Race 2: “Woman Of Power has come through her prep well, she has done good work on the sand and on the treadmill. Her issues seem to be behind her. She’s working very well, her formline stacks up well and with a bit of luck in running she should go very close.”

Race 3: “Outer Dimension has done nothing wrong so far, but she is still on the weak side and hasn’t made major improvement. We’ll look at what happens in this race and re-assess her. Champagne Cocktail is a full-sister to Sparkling Water, we’re running her first-up over 1700m and she’s nicely drawn. We’ve done as much as we can with her at home. Her heart rates are exceptional, like her sister’s rates used to be. She may not have the tactical speed that Sparkling Water had, but she does do a helluva lot right and she will stay well. If not too green, she should be all over them. She will improve a lot with the run too, since we haven’t had grass to work her on, she’s done her work on sand and treadmill. She’s a nice, sound filly with a good attitude.”

“Race 4: “Holocene ran three deep last week and didn’t get into the race, I’m backing him up and hopefully he gets a better chance from the jock. He’ll win us a race, this distance is better, but it will take a bit of time. Mvelelo is still doing well, there is an MR87 and MR88 above us in this race so he has competition. I like where he is at the moment, he needs some luck in running but should give a good account, has a chance.”

Race 5: “Simple Simple is very well, should be competitive, a nice horse for swingers, I’d say. Sharapova is fit and well, her third run after rest. She should go very well here from a good draw, expecting a big run.”

Race 6: “Union Square is suited to the race conditions. This is a part of his prep for later this summer and it is a little short, but he is well and on the up, worth considering. Zinovi is out at the weights with a few runners, but looks like he has been wanting this 1400m on the way he has been running on. This is a competitive race with some nice young horses. A good test for him, he should run well.”

Race 7: “Good Queen Bess is nicely drawn and down in class. I’m expecting a good run from her, she’s come on after her last run. She should be very competitive here.”

Race 8: “Trois Trois Quatre is in a very good space and I like the 2000m on the inside track more for him than the 1800m he won well over last week. He’s on the upgrade and this is a race we can expose him in without fear of getting a serious penalty. If he does well, we’ll know there are bigger and better things to come and can plan his future races accordingly. I’m keen to see where we’re at. He is better than a MR87, we’re up against better quality than before, including Puerto Manzano, but our horse may be up to the task.”

Race 9: “Motown Magic is not at his best yet but getting there. This run should bring him to his peak and then we can put him over his right trip.”