Rafeef’s Son A Derby Candidate – De Kock

Mike de Kock’s concern that the inside track at Turffontein would be too sharp for Aragosta in Gr3 class materialised when the gelding was outpaced in the early stages of the Sea Cottage Stakes and had to come from last turning for home.

But the son of Rafeef’s class prevailed and he reeled in stablemate Clafoutis in a thrilling finish to win the race by a quarter of a length.

Aragosta gets up under a sweetly timed ride by Richard Fourie (Pic – JC Photos)

Visiting Cape jock Richard Fourie Fourie said: “Aragosta was lethargic early, but the pace was on so I tracked Gavin Lerena (on the fancied) Platinum Sky. We had Platinum Sky in control at the 400 but when I looked accross at the 250m-mark I saw Clafoutis running strongly and I had to keep asking. He is a big horse with a big heart, he definitely needs more ground, this was a good win.”

De Kock echoed that and indicated that Aragosta’s main aim for the season will be the SA Derby, with Clafoutis an Oaks contender during the feature season.

Entries were received on Monday for both the WSB Gauteng Guineas and the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.

Tabnews report that the two two Gr2 races to be run over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 5 February form the Gauteng first legs of the SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara respectively.

De Kock has entered both Dingaans winner Safe Passage and Aragosta into the R1-million Guineas, and has nominated Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas runner-up Desert Miracle as well as Sea Cottage runner-up Clafoutis in the fairer sex classic.

There were 15 horses entered into each of the two races and they come from all around the country with entries from Cape Town-based Dean Kannemeyer, KZN trainer Gareth van Zyl and Port Elizabeth’s Zietsman Oosthuizen.

Supplementary entries close at 09h00 on Monday 31 January with declarations due by 11h00 on Tuesday 1 February.

Antepost betting available on Hollywoodbets.net