Weekend runner comments

At MR116, Justin Snaith’s Grade 1 Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot is the highest rated runner in this weekend’s main South African feature, the Grade 3 Byerley Turk to be run over 1400m at Greyville on Sunday. But Mike de Kock’s Gimmeanotherchance (MR111) is well in with a pull of 6kg and is capable on his day. 

Betway Ambassador Mike is confident that Gimmeanotherchance will run a big race. He also leaned to Underworld as the biggest danger to his runner. He said: “Gimmeanotherchance likes the Greyville 1400 and to me this a nice advantage in this race. He is very well, his work has been good. Jockey Craig Zackey and I agreed that 1800m last time was too far last time, so we’re right back to his favourite trip. Underworld is the horse to beat, I think. He looks well on the up and gets a healthy allowance from Snow Pilot.

Mike saddles five runners at Turffontein on Saturday and he said: “Only one of them, Oxalis Gold, has a good draw, which will make it difficult to have a winner. Good draws are generally very important on this tight inside track, we’ll be up against it.”

Here are his comments:

Race 1, 1450m: “Oxalis Gold is a filly by Gold Standard doing pretty well at home. She has shown us that she has some ability. She will improve with the run, but should be competitive in a six-horse field. I expect to see her running at them.”

Race 6, 1700m: “La Moohal has good form, he has come along nicely the last few months, looks a progressive sort and should be distance suited. He is drawn 7-10, that is the concern, but he must be included. He steps up again and may show that he is capable of beating stronger.”

Race 7, 1800m: “Holocene has had to suffer wide draws in three of his last five runs, he seems to have wide draws reserved for him. He has been threatening to win another race. If he can beat his draw, he will be all over them. His only win was over 1800m.”

Race 8, 1200m: “Zinovi is drawn 7-8 and that’s where his race starts – at a disadvantage. He has come on from his last start, however, he is a decent horse so let’s hope Piere Strydom can work some of his magic here.”

Race 9, 1450m: “Arividicio hasn’t lived up to his earlier promise, he was once as high as MR90. He is not in great form and one would almost think he has no chance from that his 12 draw, but his rating is now down to 71 and he is bound to win another race soon. Best to include him.”