Turffontein runner comments, 9 March 2024

Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock has 13 runners carded to race on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday, and here are his comments:

Race 1, 1800m: Forest God has been scratched.

Race 2, 1800m: “I’ve put blinkers on Volare E Mambo, she wasn’t running straight last time, this should help. She’s coming to hand, should run a good race. Arabian Red needed her last run, she was still a bit disappointing but should improve. Both are place-getting fillies.”

Race 3, 2000m: “This field is as competitive as it is small, so it’s hard to say Trois Trois Quatre is a good thing. But he is well, has improved in blinkers and is a big runner.”

Race 5, 200m: “The Oaks Trial is always a keenly contested race, we have three fillies to have a go with. Mary’s Greenlight was cramped at a late stage of her race last week, ran on for third. We’re not sure if she’ll see out the distance, but she is doing well and Piere Strydom is the right jockey for her. Forgiveness impressed me with her second to East Coast, she ran on well late in the race and is a progressive type. She ran to a higher rating that day than she is, may have a couple of pounds in hands at the ratings and she has a definite chance here. Kadizora is an out-and-out stayer, a mile-and-a-half filly that stays all day, this may be a touch sharp for her but not without a Quartet chance.”

Race 6, 2000m: “Another competitive race, the scratching of Viva Brazil doesn’t make it easier to win because there are a few with chances. Our Dubai Hills was impressive in winning post Maiden and then ran well again, we’ve kept Chase Maujean up. The outside track should suit him better than the inside track, he’ll run well. Marauding Horde was green and ran around in the finish when he won last time, we’re putting blinkers on him. He’s a 2000-plus horse so this race will suit, looks a decent sort that can be followed. Both have chances. No Place Like Home is a little in and out, will have to lift his game to have a say here.”

Race 7, 2400m: “A race in which a case can be made for every runner, in my view. Black Thorn did okay in Cape Town, he has had a bit of a rest so won’t be 100%, but the long straight will suit him and considering how open this race is, I won’t leave him out. Although he won, East Coast didn’t run to his rating last time. He was given a high rating for running places in feature races. He is 1kg better off with Good Council for their run against Zeus, which may or may not be enough to turn the tables. Warrants inclusion too.”

Race 9, 1800m: “Aragosta needed a bit of freshening up on his return from Cape Town. The 4kg claim will help, but I’m not convinced he’s at his best, he doesn’t give away much in work. He’s being prepared for the Premiers, but you’ll have to include him. Shoemaker has been plagued by wide draws and as a result has had to be dropped back to come from off them, and he’s often been too far off to get to the leaders. With a somewhat better draw this time I hope he can get closer, early. He’s a big runner.”