Runner comments, Charity Mile Day and Greyville

This is a great weekend of local and global racing featuring a Pick 6 carryover to the Charity Mile meeting at Turffontein (a pool of R5-million expected) and the famous Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar in California.

Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock sends out five runners with chances in an open renewal of the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile. They include current Horse Of The Year, Dave The King, who returns from a rest and has 62kg on his back. This race is the start of his preparation for the 2025 King’s Plate and Mike commented: “He’s had a good rest and a faultless prep into this race. He is not at his best yet, we’ll be building up to bigger races, but my gut feel says he’ll be competitive. He has beaten stronger and should run acquit himself well. I will leave the tactics to Richard Fourie.”

Silver Sanctuary caught the eye with a solid comeback run in a Pinnacle Stakes recently and Mike said: “I liked the way she ran that day, because she needed it and she has improved by the number of lengths she was beaten. She is well, a Summer Cup contender and progressing nicely into the race. This is just a touch sharp, but I fancy she’ll run into the money.”

The erratic Safe Passage is considered to be not far off his best. He comes into the race with his lowest rating and a handy 53kg, and it should be noted that he finished third in this race under 59,5kg two years ago. Mike said: “He has blossomed in work, he is sound and looking the best I’ve seen him in ages. He is pumped up, coming to hand like he did last summer and he has a definite Quartet chance.”

Mike said about Gimmeanotherchance: “He is probably the fittest of my four runners, a horse in a good space, but he has a tough task from the widest of draws. Shoemaker was suspended for bleeding at the end of last season. He has scoped clean multiple times after that and all is good with him, his prep has gone well. He is a capable horse and we’re hoping all works out for him in the race. He must have a Quartet chance.”

Roaring Spirit is the stable’s first runner of the day in Race 1 over 1160m and Mike assessed: “She’s a nice filly, one I’ve always thought will win her Maiden quickly. Whether it will be this race, I can’t say with confidence because she is just off her peak level of fitness. She will improve with the run and there are a few others with good form. Trifecta chance for us.”

Next up is Oxalis Gold in Race 5 over 1400m. “She steps up against some promising fillies, but she’s no slouch, this one. She warrants inclusion, she can’t be left out of anything.”

Waheed and Wolf Mountain line up in Race 6, the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m. “Both have a bit to do against these. I wasn’t unhappy with Waheed’s run last week, he is coming along and will improve more. Wolf Mountain is a progressive type of horse, whether he is good enough in this class only the race will show.”

There are three De Kock-trained fillies in Race 8 over 1800m. Mike noted: “Champagne Cocktail enjoyed a rest in the paddock at Mauritzfontein and she’s come back really well. It looks as if her old sparkle is back. Littlemarysunshine is much better off at the weights with Olivia’s Joy and on that alone has a shout. Forgiveness is at the top of her game and perhaps still ahead of the handicapper. Another competitive race in which I’d put all three of ours in the Pick 6 if I was taking one.”

Aragosta and Marauding Horde contest Race 10, the Listed Java Stakes over 2400m. “Aragosta will need the run, he’s had a few niggles. Marauding Horde is coming into his own, he has been given a penalty for last week’s win but I think that he’s a big runner, even with 54kg.”

Irish Anthem (Race 2) and Ingqwele (Race 4) do duties for the stable at Sunday’s HWB Greyville meeting. Mike said: Irish Anthem does not show us much, as I said last week. We’re hoping to see improvement from him in blinkers, but hopeful is all I can say. Ingqwele is probably better on turf, he was a bit disappointing on the polytrack last time. He has eachway prospects.”