Multiple champion trainer Mike de Kock is thrilled that his star colt Hawwaam came through his Cape debut on Saturday in the Gr2 Premier Trophy with flying colours and said that it was all systems go now for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in just under three weeks.
Talking to the Sporting Post on Monday, De Kock conceded that it was ‘nervous moments’ behind the starting stalls on Saturday as one of his opponents, Bunker Hunt, was receiving attention for a loose bridle.
Anton Marcus and the De Kock team celebrate with Hawwaam on Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
“We didn’t know what the issue was with the other horse, and given Hawwaam’s history naturally there was a measure of anxiety. But Anton (Marcus) did all the right things and contained the situation as best he could. I could not have asked for more from Hawwaam and he now goes into the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.”
On his charge’s wellbeing, De Kock said he felt it was gross irresponsibility on the part of the person who had suggested that Hawwaam had been coughing in the build-up.
“It doesn’t warrant a response, it is really so far from the truth. But had he run below par, how poorly would that have reflected on us as a stable and in the bigger picture for horseracing?” he said.
Entries for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate close at 11h00 on Friday.
De Kock, who is likely to hold a powerful hand in the WFA mile, suggested that punters should not overlook the prospects of his 2019 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate runner-up, Soqrat. The son of Epaulette came off his impressive Cape Guineas win and went down 0,30 lengths to Do It Again in race earlier this year.
He is at 8,33-1 with Hollywoodbets in the Sun Met antepost market.
“Soqrat has strengthened and matured in the past six months. He should not be overlooked,”he cautioned.
