An inexplicably dismal showing by Mike de Kock’s highly vaunted odds-on favourite Mount Pleasant in the World Sports Betting Gr2 Dingaans at Turffontein on Saturday won’t detract from the performance of the Paul Peter yard, who delivered the exacta on another great day for the Turffontein-based team.
Gavin Lerena has Catch Twentytwo in full flight (Pic – JC Photos)
Gavin Lerena punched the air in delight when he produced Catch Twentytwo (9-1) with a late surge to beat his more fancied stablemate MK’s Gold (5-1) by 2,25 lengths in a terrific curtain-raiser to the yard’s memorable maiden WSB Summer Cup success with champion Summer Pudding.
But for many exotic punters, the sight of the odds-on, and previously unbeaten, Mount Pleasant going up and down 10,50 lengths back would have been a bitter sight to behold.
The Stipes reported that when afforded the opportunity to place on record any factors which may have accounted for the poor performance of his mount, Callan Murray explained to the Board that the gelding travelled well, was well positioned and that he was confident that Mount Pleasant would close the race off strongly. He added that the horse felt sound and that he was at a loss to explain the indifferent performance. De Kock was advised to report back to the Board on the condition of this gelding on return to stables.
While the stable had an impressive maiden winner in the shap of Nartjie earlier, this was a forerunner to another case of a below-par showing in the Summer Cup when the relatively fancied Charles finished a distance behind. The Stipes asked the Veterinary Surgeon to examine this gelding.
The Mike de Kock Racing website is bound to throw more light on the Mount Pleasant disappointment and this will be reported upon.
But for the Narrow Creek Stud-bred Catch Twentytwo and his owners, it was a plan come together after his fair fourth behind Malmoos in the Graham Beck Stakes at the end of October.
A R120 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, the winner is by Elusive Fort (Fort Wood) out of the one-time winning Argonaut mare, Ignition Lady.
A winner of 2 races with 2 places from 6 starts, Catch Twentytwo has earned R153 250.
The runner-up MK’s Pride maintained his consistent formline and will pay to follow.
