Mike de Kock’s progressive Australian-bred 3yo Alfolk booked a berth in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at Kenilworth in January with a fluent victory in the R250 000 Gr3 Lebelo Sprint at Turffontein on Saturday.
Anthony Delpech guides Alfolk to an easy win (Pic – JC Photographics)
It is never easy for 3yo’s to take on seasoned hard-knocking speedsters, but the promising Alfolk came through his test with flying colours and heads for the big Cape sprint on Sun Met day with plenty of confidence.
With last year’s Lebelo Sprint winner Rivarine coming for plenty of support in the betting market, any trepidation that jockey Anthony Delpech may have felt when he entered the starting stalls quickly abated in running.
“He was going well and was always going to win. We have found the trick and it worked. He is talented and is a lovely horse who wants to win now,” said Delpech.
Anthony Delpech – rode a confident race
Rock Deejay and Greasepaint led the early charge, with Alfolk galloping smoothly two lengths off on their outside as his cheek pieces fluttered in the breeze.
At the 300m the Aussie-bred galloper glided forward to grab the advantage, as the gallant longshot 7yo Greasepaint kept on doggedly.
It was race over at the 200m as Alfolk drew away to beat Greasepaint by 1,25 lengths in a time of 56,96 secs. The runner-up earned R50 000 for his efforts – a bonus at this stage of his career.
Rivarine, who was making a big bid for the double, was boxed in late and stayed on well to snatch third a quarter length in arrears, with Clint Binda’s nice 3yo Whorly Whorly in fourth.
Alfolk, who was registering his first stakes success, has won 4 races with 4 places from 9 starts and stakes of R696 375.
The winner was purchased by Shadwell Australia for A$380,000 at the Inglis Easter Sale from the draft of Sledmere Stud
Mike De Kock – smart 3yo’s this term
Trainer Mike de Kock. who has been blessed with a lovely crop of 3yo’s this season, said that he felt that it was a case of the more racing the youngsters had the better they would perform over the sprints. ” This was a good performance against the older horses. He is a horse who has a decent feature in him,” he added confidently.
Alfolk boasts his sire’s muscled shoulders and breast and settles well – he could even get a mile in time to come.
The clip below shows Alfolk as a yearling before the sales
By champion Darley Australia sire Lonhro (Octagonal), Alfolk is the second winner from three to race for Alteza Real (by Exceed And Excel), a three-quarter sister to stakeswinners Shinzig and Strada, and stakes placed Fiammarosa, being out of former top flight racemare Shindig.
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Gr3 Lebelo Sprint (SAf-Gr3)
Turffontein, South Africa, December 30, R250k, 1000m, turf, good, 56.96
1 – ALFOLK (AUS), 55.0, b/br g 3, Lonhro (AUS) – Alteza Real (AUS) by Exceed And Excel (AUS). Owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum; Breeder bred in Australia; trainer MF de Kock; jockey A Delpech
2 – Greasepaint (SAF), 53.5, ch g 7, Kahal (GB) – Lady Red (SAF) by Russian Revival (USA)
3 – Rivarine (SAF), 58.0, b g 4, Var (USA) – River Jetez (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
Margins: 1.25, 0.25, 0.75
