Mike and Mathew de Kock, in conjunction with Form Bloodstock, bought four yearlings at the Cape Racing Sales Premier Auction on Thursday, including two colts by champion stallion, Gimmethegreenlight.
Mike said that both colts (Lot 111 and Lot 152) have stallions’ pedigrees and that he and Mathew were excited as both were on their shortlist of potential buys on a strong sale.
The stable has seven runners at Saturday’s
Turffontein race meeting, scheduled for the standside track and featuring Race 7, the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m.
Calantha represents the yard in this dash and Mike commented: “She takes a jump in class to Grade 3 company, but she’s a filly with ability and we’ve always said she is better than her rating. She has won twice over course and distance, doesn’t have a good draw but I think she’ll be involved. A definite inclusion for punters.”
Champagne Cocktail gives the stable a late start to the day in Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m. She is highly thought of and has underperformed after a good start to her career, but she has improved after a rest and has been showing her old sparkle. She gave King’s Express some cheek last time, is suited to the distance and has only 50kg to shoulder. “There are a few decent horses in this race, but Champagne Cocktail is not without a chance,” Mike assessed.
Gimmeanotherchance returned from wind surgery and a rest when finishing a few lengths off Hotarubi a fortnight ago. He is expected to show improvement in Race 6 over 1400m. “He needed the run more than we expected last time and he’ll probably need this outing too, to get back to his best. We’d be happy with a progressive run.”
Listed winner
Mary’s Greenlight is in good form and she’s beaten better rivals than the those she is facing in Race 8 over 1400m. In Andrew Fortune she has a jockey that should suit her and Mike said: “She is in good nick, a big runner.”
Oxalis Gold joins Mary’s Greenlight in the race. She made a fair comeback at the Vaal recently and has a low, galloping weight in her favour, but Mike feels she is probably one more run short of her peak.
Sea Anemone and
Roaming Spirit are entered for Race 9 over 1400m. Mike said: “Sea Anemone has in-and-out-form. She is capable, as we’ve seen, and she’s down to a lower rating. With Piere Strydom riding her, you can’t ignore her chances, but it is hard to predict how she will go. We’ve always thought of Roaming Spirit as a promising filly, I do prefer her here over Sea Anemone. I liked the way she won when stepped up to 1400m last time.”
Saturday’s HWB Scottsville meeting has been postponed and moved to Wednesday, 19 March. Mike has one runner, a newcomer named
I’m A Fireball in Race 1 over 1000m. He is a Klawervlei-bred by Vercingetorix and Mike said: “He’s showing us good work at home, has a definite chance on his debut.”
***
Vaughan Marshalls’s star colt One Stripe is on the brink of departure for an overseas career. He is also set for a massive payday in his local swansong, the R5-million HRH Princess Charlene Big Cap over 1400m, Race 8 at Kenilworth on Sunday. One Stripe is hard to beat on form, he is the proverbial ‘good thing’ of the day, and a ready-made exotic banker as he aims to take his local earnings to well over R7-million.
Bet on horse racing with Betway
Whether it’s international or local events, specific races or favourite horses, you’ll find a full list of race fixtures with Betway. Get in on
horse racing today and place your bets on at Betway.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on
Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram and
YouTube.
Download the Betway App.