Mike de Kock saddled Mary’s Greenlight, the winner of Thursday’s Listed Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m at HWB Greyville, and said he wants to rebuild his yard in Kwazulu-Natal with numbers when Mathew de Kock returns to South Africa next year.
“Mathew is ambitious, he will grow the string at Randjesfontein and we’ll do the same in Durban so that we can have the firepower to compete again at national level,” said Mike.
Mike has already sent out 26 winners from only 170 runners this season for a high 15% strike rate from a small string. Supporters of the stable can expect a lot more in 2025.
Mike sends two newcomers to the track at Turffontein on Saturday. They’re both in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies over 1160m. Dupont Emerald (by Querari) and Oasis (by Vercingetorix) are both beautifully bred, but the trainer is not able to give much confidence about them.
He said: “I haven’t seen enough from either of them in home gallops. This race will show us where we stand, I cannot say more than that or give punters more confidence, they will come on from the run.”
Mike is more upbeat about well-performed Destiny Of Fire, who comes into Race 4 over 1400m with only 52.5kg to shoulder. “She pulled up slightly distressed after her run in the Fillies Mile on Summer Cup Day so that wasn’t her best. I think she is a really nice type of filly and a big runner at the weights in this handicap.”
Littlemaryshunshine takes her place in the Listed 4Racing War Of Athena Handicap over 1800m. She comes off a rest following a below-par run in the Yellowwood Handicap in early November, but she was bumped at the start day and had a valid excuse.
Mike said: “Littlemarysunshine is a capable filly at her best, she’s run some very good races in similar company, so I won’t leave her out of exotic bets. She is fresh and well, and has a shout with 53,5kg.”
Littlemarysunshine is carded to race again at the Vaal next Tuesday - Mike has left her as an entry in Race 4 over 1800m in case of rain at Turffontein’s Saturday meet.
Also on Tuesday, well-related Cherry Oh Baby steps out in Race 1 over 1400m and Mike said: “She is doing fine at home and I think she will enjoy the straight 1400m. We give her a money chance.”
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There is a meeting at HWB Kenilworth on Saturday which completes the double-header with a tricky nine-race programme.
There are a few interesting runners on the card, including the Eric Sands-trained Beautiful Side, who ran many lengths behind the winner on her debut, but needed the experience and has Richard Fourie in the irons in Race 3 over 1400m. Watch the betting on this one.
Gimmethatpearl (Race 5,1600m), is a filly on the upgrade and her chances look even better following the scratching of Princes Izzy.
Pink Pigeon (Race 8, 1200m) is another important scratching to take note of. This race will now require a wider spread in exotics, although Babelicious presents some value at Betway’s opening call of 6-1. She’s often well supported in the market, said to have ability but hasn’t made the expected progress yet. The addition of blinkers to her equipment is likely to make a difference to her enthusiasm and she is one to watch.
Punters are reminded that there will be a TAB Tote carryover Pick 6 pool to the King’s Plate meeting at HWB Kenilworth next Saturday, 4 January. A pool of R5-million is expected.
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