Mike de Kock – astute form studier
Mike de Kock doesn’t have any runners in the Gr1 Sansui Summer Cup at Turffontein today, but he sends out a number of competitive charges in other Graded features on the day.
Well-performed Jayyed (MR109) is one of the highest-rated horses in the land (let alone perhaps our highest-rated Maiden of all time) and he will create a rare piece of history if, as such, he can win the Gr2 Dingaans over 1600m.
On exposed and confirmed Graded form, Jayyed has a clear chance of fighting out the finish, although in theory there is only a remote possibility of reversing the form with Champion three-year-old Harry’s Son, who has beaten him twice at level weights and a third time, giving him 4,5kg.
They’re at level weights again, but Mike feels the result is not in the frame yet. He said: “Weights are only significant when the runners being compared were both in top form in the races under scrutiny. When last they met, Harry’s Son couldn’t beat Jayyed on paper, but he did. On that run, Jayyed can’t beat him in the Dingaans, but you never know. Jayyed needed the 1400m run last time, he is better now and will like the long run-in at the standside track.
“Jayyed is very well, we’re happy with him but he is problematic in the wind, he makes breathing noises and that’s a natural concern. We’ll be fitting him with a tongue-tie for the first time and if all goes well he will be a factor to contend with.”
Mike also has high hopes for the fillies Ataab and Maria Theresa in the Bradlows/Morkels Fillies Mile (Gr3) over 1600m. Mawkels is known as “your two-year guarantee store,” but there are no guarantees that either of these individuals will win, only that both have prospects of earning stake money.
Mike commented: “Ataab will like the sting out of the ground, she was impressive winning at the course and distance last time out but Maria Theresa packs plenty of class too. She ran an awesome race against older males last time and being fitter now she is set for a big run against fillies and mares here.”
Kingston Mines is another runner considered to have a good chance of sharing in the loot offered by the Gauteng Racing Association in a Gr3 event for stayers over 3200m. There is every chance that the RA’s erratic website won’t be streaming this race live – its best to be trackside if you’re battling to keep up with DSTV’s fees and fancy a punt on Kingston Mines and a real-time run from this promising and lightly-raced stayer.
Mike viewed the race as follows: “There is plenty of exposed form here, Kingston Mines is up against some older, battling stayers and while he is still young and coming into his own, he’s by a new sire who has thrown a Gr1 winner over ground in the UK, from a good female line. We’ve always liked Kingston Mines, he takes a step up now and let’s hope he can do us proud.
“Taarish is also in the race, he’s not bad at all but he hasn’t had an ideal preparation with only one run coming into this race so we can’t recommend him with any confidence.”
Pine Princess will go to post in the Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m and Mike said: “Pine Princess is gutsy and she has some class so she’ll be trying her best. It’s a tough task for her though, this is her minimum trip and she’s up against some well-performed high-quality fillies and mares.”
In the Gr3 Magnolia Handicap, to be staged earlier in the day over 1200m, Berlinetta is given a place chance and Mike said: “She is well but again this is a tough field in which she will be up against some well-handicapped rivals like For The Lads.”
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