On a double after winning with Cape Guineas star Noah From Goa in 2015, Mike de Kock looks to hold the key to Saturday’s R500 000 Gr2 Dingaans.
His trio is headed on the ratings by the well-bought and improving Bold Silvano gelding, Bold Rex.
Bold Rex ran a cracker in the Victory Moon Stakes
De Kock has some outstanding 3yo firepower in his arsenal and could bounce back here after he returned Al Fahad to Gauteng following his Selangor Cup disappointment on Saturday.
The son of Redoute’s Choice was green and unsettled around the left-handed bend and he ran in snatches, finishing fifth in a quality field.
Mike De Kock – saddles a strong three cornered coupling
Ironically it is a horse racing in the top trainer’s own silks that inspires some serious interest back at home on Saturday.
Bold Rex was a four-time winner – from 1000m to 1800m – from 8 starts when he took on some hardknocking seniors in the Victory Moon Stakes a fortnight back.
Relaxed in midfield, he ran on strongly to get within 1,75 lengths of the seasoned and well-weighted Bezanova.
The latter was used as the line horse and Bold Rex emerged with a 101 rating – the maximum 6 he could get in terms of the race conditions.
The truth is that it was a cracking effort and Bold Rex actually ran to a 108, according to the official handicapper.
While the Victory Moon was admittedly a false run race, and there are definite improvers in the sixteen horse Dingaans field, with his nearest rivals racing off a 100, Bold Rex jumps out of the page as a tempting penalty kick if he runs anywhere close to a similar rating.
But he will have to beat his stablemate Heavenly Blue, an exciting grey son of Snitzel.
Doosra wins the Graham Beck Stakes by a nostril from the out-of-pic Heavenly Blue
He won his first two outings – against ordinary opposition – before failing by a hairbreadth to catch Doosra in the Graham Beck Stakes.
Already being mentioned as a Sun Met possibility, he will relish the extra here and his duel with Bold Rex will make for interesting racing.
The beautifully bred Janoobi is the third of the De Kock trio.
The son of Silvano has plenty of ticks – including the services of Piere Strydom, a good draw – and a victory over Ready To Run Cup winner Chili Con Carne to his credit.
Gavin Lerena – rides Doosra again
Gavin Lerena teams up again with Graham Beck Stakes winner Doosra, who gets tested over the mile.
He may find this slightly tougher over the extra 200m with his free-striding racing style but his pedigree suggests he will easily get it.
Jiffy was slightly disappointing behind Doosra last time, but his form was good prior to that and he was staying on well behind the top four.
The unbeaten Visionaire colt Aggressive has pulled a terrible draw at his first start around the turn, but has done nothing wrong so far.
Singapore Sling ran a cracking third in the Graham Beck Stakes but has drawn wide and has some leeway to make up.
The rest look to be more hopeful than anything else.
Orapa was well beaten in the Graham Beck Stakes and prior to that ran 3,50 lengths off Africa Rising – who was beaten (partly by his wide draw) at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Sean Tarry
Sean Tarry has two in the field.
A Greater Power won twice before having the wind knocked out his sails in the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup.
Hamaan has drawn wide but won well on Sunday at his second outing. We have no idea how good he may be at this stage.
Duncan Howells travels with Roy’s Magic and Secret Captain.
Both ran in the Graham Beck Stakes with Secret Captain faring the better – when a 4 length fourth. Both look held by Doosra.
Roy’s Magic wins at Scottsville – but well beaten in Graham Beck Stakes
Recent maiden winner Okavango Delta has drawn 15 and is in the deep end in this company.
On a line through Roya’s’ Magic, the well drawn My Pal Al has plenty to do.
The Shredder ran a terrible race last time after running only 3,80 lengths back to Heavenly Blue at his penultimate start.
This could be the race of the day if the top five bring their A-game to work.
Top-class improving 3yo’s always make it interesting .
Doosra is proven – but the De Kock pair of Heavenly Blue and Bold Rex will be out to knock him off his pedestal.
We haven’t seen the best of Janoobi either.
