Runner comments, Summer Cup Day 2024

The R6-million Betway Summer Cup will be staged over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday and Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock has entered 14 of the stable’s best runners for various features on the day. The include top filly Silver Sanctuary in the big race, which will go off at 4pm.
 
Mike said about Silver Sanctuary: “She’s had a near perfect prep, she’s done everything I have asked of her and she’s as ready as can be. I’d say she has a reasonable chance of finishing in the money. She’s happy and in good condition. If she’s good enough she’ll be right there at the finish.”
 
Mike’s day starts in Race 2 over 1160m, in which Roaming Spirit has a chance of breaking her sequence of three successive places, with her first win. He said: “She is doing very well, she is fit and ready, hopefully she’ll give us a chance to shout her home. There are several others with good form but ours is in there with a solid chance.”
 
Horse Of The Year, Dave The King, will be looking to put last month’s uncharacteristically below-par run behind him in Race 3 over 1400m. Mike commented: “We found nothing wrong after the race and we’re hoping he can atone. He’s been doing everything right at home. He has Strydom up, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t finish in the money. I am more than happy with him.”
 
Strydom’s also back on White Pearl for her run in Race 4, the Grade 3 Carry On Alice Stakes. She’s looks streamlined, in good shape and Mike said: “She’s had a good prep and I’m very happy with her. She is honest, gives her best. If there is a good pace on, and with a bit of luck in running, she can fight out the finish.”
 
Gimmeanotherchance returns after a disappointing last run, to contest Race 5 over 1160m. “I’m giving him a sprint to tighten him up. The vets have recommended a tongue-tie for him, so we’ll see how he goes. He’ll improve with the run.”
 
Race 6 is the Betway Ladies Mile which has attracted a good field. Mike saddles Oxalis Gold and Destiny Of Fire and said: “Oxalis Gold is much better than her last run, this is a hot bunch of fillies, a good test for her but I think she will run a decent race, she has a Quartet chance. I’ve put blinkers on Destiny Of Fire, she seems to look around when she gets to the business end and should have won the last twice. Let’s hope the blinkers help. I don’t think she’s a 20-1 shot, include her.”
 
Waheed, Greaterix and Artist’s Model represent the stable in Race 7, the Grade 2 Betway Dingaans and this should be a cracker of a race. They all look well in their coats, the grey-dappled Greaterix is very highly thought of and Mike said: “This is the day of reckoning. If Greaterix is as good as we think he is, he will fight out the finish. He faces a good test in the champion filly Quid Pro Quo, this is what’s racing’s all about.” Waheed he said, was in exceptionally good form. “If he repeats his last run, he will be all over them. He had a very good last gallop this week, I expect him to be in the money. This is the biggest test yet for Artist’s Model, but he is a sound, progressive type of horse. We’ll probably have to ride him cold from his draw, but I expect him to be running on. I look forward to see how he goes.”
 
Mike has a strong hand to end the day with four runners in Race 9, the Summer Cup Consolation over 2000m. He said: “Safe Passage was unlucky not to have made the Summer Cup field. He is fit and handily weighted, he seems happy. There should be a bit of sting out of the ground, he will be in the money if he brings his best. Aragosta has come through his prep well, we know he can do better than his last two runs, but he has improved since, I’m hoping for a better run from him, he is capable as we know. Shoemaker has had a faultless prep, he has been running well below his best, but he is far fitter than last time. If the real Shoemaker turns up, he is a runner and he should peak here. I like the fact that Strydom is up, he rode him into second in the Cup Trial which was a reflection of his true ability. If there’s a one horse of mine on the up in this field, it’s Marauding Horde. I’m a bit confused with headgear for him, we’re trying cheek pieces this time. Perhaps I ran him too close to his win over 2450m last time. If he delivers his best, he’ll be a big runner.”