It is always worth listening when Mike De Kock speaks his mind
Former multiple SA champion trainer Mike De Kock served some food for thought to sales companies BSA and CTS on the eve of Saturday’s Turffontein meeting when suggesting the Ready To Run 1400m was a ‘horrible distance.’
In a You Tube interview with Equus Award winning journalist Andrew Bon, De Kock said the 1400m was a specialist trip and the ‘worst distance’ in horseracing.
While conceding that the sales-with-race concept was a winner with buyers, he added that it was also ridiculous that the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup was worth more than the Vodacom Durban July. But that can hardly be the fault of the commercially orientated sales companies.
His main issue was the distance over which the races were run though and which he felt needed reconsideration.
“The problem is that the draw bias is at its’ worst over 1400m. With say only 150 horses eligible, of which there are likely to be 80 or 90 at best who are suited and genuinely ready to be competitive over the 1400m, surely it would make sense to split the stake over two races of 1200m and 1600m?”
He added that a split would still make it very attractive and then give 32 horses a chance over optional distance ranges.
“I see the CTS Book 1 Sale has gone to 1200m but in doing so they then knock the hopes of the classic horses out of the water,” he said.
“But, hey, who am I to argue? There are some clever men there I believe,” he said with a smile.
Ironically De Kock’s very smart Judpot gelding Deamuponadream jumped from the 4 draw in Saturday’s race but was unable to peg back Charles Laird’s outstanding Australian-bred Rich Girl – who ran a cracker from a 14 draw to beat him a neck.
