The World Pool Gold Cup race day welcomes back former South African Champion Apprentice Jockey Douglas Whyte, also known as the ‘Durban Demon’, to Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Who could forget his exploits on London News as they flew the South African Horseracing flag in Hong Kong when winning the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 1997, but few could have imagined the success that Whyte would go on to achieve in Hong Kong over the next two decades.
Thirteen consecutive Hong Kong Jockey Titles would follow and now a successful career as a trainer has resulted in the HKJC naming the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes his honour.
The R700 000 Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes is the final leg of the R12 million Pick 6.
Here Michele Wing’s Racing News talks to the trainers of the top runners in the market:
- EGYPTIAN MAU: “I’m expecting her to be very competitive. She is doing well and looking well. We haven’t got a favourable draw again (draw 9), but I’ve got an experienced jockey on board (Richard Fourie). We just need a bit of luck on our side to conquer the draw”, Lucky Houdalakis.
- SECRET IDENTITY: “She’s in fine form and she’ll be a big runner. She was very unlucky in her last start, having to make up a lot of ground coming into the straight and she came in wide. She’s now ridden by Gavin Lerena and will expect her to be competitive”, Michelle Rix.
- RASCOVA: “Rascova is doing really well and to have champion jockey, Lyle Hewitson, on board … ‘what a pleasure’. We’re ready and just need a little luck in the running”, Glen Kotzen.
- DISTANT WINTER: “She’s trying the mile for the first time and she’s drawn well. Sean Tarry’s filly (Mrs Geriatrix) is not in here, so I think Distant Winter should be in with a very good each way chance, if she sees the distance out well enough”, Candice Bass-Robinson.
6.DOLCEZZA: “I do believe the step-up in trip is what she’s looking for. She’s been to Greyville twice and done the trip, so she knows the course. It’s very exciting and we’re looking forward to a good run from her”, Robyn Klaasen.
- LET’S GO NOW: “She’s got a lovely draw, had a lovely prep and won her last 2. This race maybe coming a bit early for her. She definitely needs to improve a few lengths to have a chance here , but she has come on with her racing and improving all the while. I think she might turn out to be a nice classic filly”, Sean Tarry.
- PLATINA PRINCESS: “I don’t think she’s got an issue with the mile at all, she just got up late last time to win. I think she’s a very nice filly and I wouldn’t leave her out of anything”, Mike de Kock.
Enjoy the show:
- Michele Wing : Nkululeko Mbhele : Sanette Holmes : Candiese Lenferna
