Easy Read! Kindle wins the Listed Java Handicap at Turffontein (JC Photos)
The Mike De Kock trained Kindle could well still sneak into the Summer Cup after a good win in the rain delayed R150 000 Listed Java Handicap run under the lights over 2450m at Turffontein on Wednesday.
The son of Fort Wood is a typically progressive De Kock stayer, and won a great race under replacement rider, Tshwaro Appie.
There was drama at the start when the original favourite Balse was withdrawn after injuring himself. His rider Piere Strydom was visibly upset with whatever went down at the start.
According to the Mike De Kock Racing website, the only surprising fact about Kindle’s easy win in Wednesday night’s listed feature at Turffontein was that he drifted in the pre-race betting, with as much as 12-1 available on a few bookmakers’ boards shortly before the start.
Kindle displayed the qualities of a good stayer in the making when beating multiple winners in a merit rated handicap over 1800m a fortnight ago – his heart and fighting spirit clearly evident over a distance short of his best.
Up-and-coming runners from Mike de Kock’s stable are always tough to contend with in races where stamina plays a role. Competing from the bottom of the handicap they invariably become good betting prospects, as Kindle’s part-owner Gary Grant will attest to – having apparently secured some eachway interest at R8,20 a Saftote Win and R2,80 a Place.
Gary and Chris Haynes, his partner at the Equine Group, are two members of a nine-strong syndicate which includes Mike , who said: “Kindle’s always had lots of potential and he’ll be even better over further, we’re going to have lots of fun with him!”
He races in the green silks of George Ragunan (his first Listed success), who also owns a share in three-year-old colt Nicklaus, a promising debut winner recently.
While Jet Fever was always prominent and stayed on strongly, Kindle ran on best to win by a length in a time of 156,76 secs.
Winter Desire was slow away, but came through well to run third.
Kom Naidoo’s Gothic ran a shocker and finished thirty lengths off the action.
Mike thanked his son and assistant Mathew de Kock and his team, who prepared Kindle in his absence and said: “I can’t stand here and stick my stomach out when they’ve done the work!”
Mike didn’t indicate the immediate route he has mapped out for Kindle but Gary Grant, for one, expressed his quiet wish that Kindle could sneak into next month’s Summer Cup, and hopefully “on a soft track”. He certainly already looms as a Gold Cup prospect for 2014.
Kindle was well handled by replacement rider Tshwaro Appie, who commented: “He dug down deep and will win a lot more.”
By Fort Wood from Cyber Cento, the well-named four-year-old gelding was bred and raised at Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud.
The winner is a R250 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 graduate.
Kindle has won 3 of 9 starts, with 4 places, and took his earnings to R241 625.
Watch out for him this summer!
