Classic Day runner comments

Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock and Mathew De Kock will saddle Spumante Dolce in Saturday’s Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Classic over 1800m. She rose spectacularly to the occasion when defeating top fillies VJ’s Angel and Quid Pro Quo in the Gauteng Guineas. With her class beyond any doubt, will Spumante Dolce remain unbeaten?

Mathew de Kock commented: “Spumante Dolce is lightly raced and will keep on improving, so this race looks perfect for her. We can’t fault her preparation, she is very well so we’re expecting a big run. She probably won’t be in the same position as in the Guineas because of her draw, but that’s not a concern. We have healthy respect for VJ’s Angel, who came from some way back to challenge her last time.”

The stable sends out recent debut winner Read All About It and first-timer Constellation in Race 2 over 1000m. Mat said: “We’re going into this race with a strong hand, and both runners have chances, they’re in good order. Punters should note that Constellation is fast, he has more natural speed than Read All About It, who is a horse we expect to be better over 1400m to 1600m. He has done very well since his Maiden win. He should finish the race off very well and remains the one to beat, but is 3kg worse off with Bingo.”

Gimmeanotherchance returns to the track after a rest and a wind operation in Race 3 over 1400m. He is the horse to beat on his rating,  and Mat commented: “He is a class act in a small field. We haven’t got him where we want him yet, he’s not fully fit, but he should run a good race.

“Calantha is in the same race, she’s a filly with ability, her form shows good runs to a few nice horses and she was too far back last time. She’s not well weighted at her rating of 87, but she’s better than her rating and not out of it here.”

White Pearl and Greaterix go to post in Race 8, the Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m, a race the stable has won twice in the last decade with Soqrat and Hawwaam. Mat said: “White Pearl is up against the big guns here, she tries hard, however and gives of her best. We’d be very happy if she can earn a minor stake.  

“This is a good test against top older horses for Greaterix, who is a talented runner in his own right. This race will tell is whether to persist with him over 1600m or revert to shorter, because he was just run out of it late in the Guineas last time after looking a winner close to the line. One has to consider that he is still improving, getting stronger and more seasoned with every run, so we’re hoping he could see it out fully this time. He’ll have to come from off them, considering his draw, but he is versatile. We’re holding thumbs for a top run.”

At HWB Scottsville on Sunday, Festival Of Magic runs in Race 5 over 1600m. She put up a solid sprint after a long rest recently and has come on for the run. “She has solid eachway claims,” said Mat.