Comments, Greyville and Turffontein

4Racing’s 2025 The Championships Series starts at Turffontein on Saturday, and Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock’s stable is well represented. This weekend also sees the start of the new Mike and Mathew de Kock training partnership, with two runners at HWB Greyville on Friday evening.

To the big meeting first. The stable sends out the unbeaten filly Spumante Dolce in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Guineas, followed by Greaterix in the Grade 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas.

Mike said about Spumante Dolce, who is a half-sister to 2022 Durban July winner, Sparkling Water, and is owned by the race sponsor: “She is rated 89, but she’s only had two runs so you can’t really assess her on that. She’s a big filly, she’d had a few niggles, but I’m putting her in the deep end because she is doing very well, in a good place. All things being equal, her true rating could be well into the 100s. We’re probably running for second against Quid Pro Quo, who is a true star, but Spumante Dolce should be competitive, we’re expecting a very good run.”

They grey, Greaterix, is worse off at the weights with his old rival, Fire Attack, and Mike said: “I have healthy respect for Fire Attack, he will be a tough horse to beat. I am not sure the ante-post betting is the right reflection of their chances. Greaterix is a talented horse, he has enjoyed a great prep and is obviously a runner with a winning chance, but he is too short in the betting, in my view.

“Our other runner in the Guineas is Waheed, who has shown some competitive form against decent horses. He raced wide last time, that run can be forgiven. He is not without a Quartet chance.”

Dupont Emerald starts the day in Race 2 over 1160m, a filly up against colts. Mike said: “Her task is tougher against the males, not ideal, but she is in good form and has shown that she is ready to win. She is a big runner.”

Recent feature winner White Pearl takes her place in Race 4, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m. “She is four pounds out at the weights with Main Defender. But she is fresh and well, working confidently and should run a good race. Zinovi won’t be running, he is scratched.”

Top Seed (Race 10, 1400m) will be a popular choice to follow up on his recent Maiden win. “I don’t know if he beat anything of note that day, but he did it in good style. I think he is a nice horse with a big chance.”

Officer In Command (Race 4, 1600m) and Mvelelo (Race 5, 2000m) have been entered for the HWB Greyville meeting on Friday evening.

“In their favour is that both runners enjoy the Polytrack, they’ve won here and are both fit and well. Officer In Command has a money chance on collateral form through Capsaicin. Mvelelo tries 2000m. He has run well over 1800m so it will be interesting to see how he goes, but it’s hard to get excited about horses struggling to win another race.”