The De Kock Stable’s 2024/5 Equus Horse Of The Year, Dave The King, has relocated from Randjesfontein to the Summerveld barn, where he is reportedly doing very well.
Dave The King has shown a liking for Kwazulu-Natal and for
Greyville, in particular. He was unbeaten in three starts during last year’s KZN season, and those included two Grade 1 successes.
Mathew de Kock said that Dave The King was given a few grass gallops recently and that he is making solid progress. He said: “We’ll be aiming him first at the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes at HWB Greyville on 3 May.”
Mat provided runner comments for two weekend meetings, starting with Turffontein on Saturday, inside track.
Race 4, 1450m: “
Gimmeanotherchance’s run last week was not what we expected. He pulled hard in the race and compounded. His work is still good and we’ve taken the blinkers off. If he can reproduce his penultimate run, when he finished second to Pomodoro’s Jet, he’ll be right there in this Graduation Plate. He has won over the course and distance.”
Race 5, 1450m: “
Calantha has run to higher ratings than her current MR86m, so we think she can be competitive. Her wide draw is an obvious concern, but she should enjoy this 1450m and has an eachway chance.”
Race 6, 1450m: “
Roaming Spirit is better than her last run, she had a torrid time, received a bump and had to race from a wide draw on the classic track at the Vaal. She’s out of gate 2 this time, should do better and has place prospects.”
Sunday’s races take place at HWB Greyville, where a nine-race card has been programmed:
The stable has two runners in Race 3 over 1400m. “
Tyrconnell is working really well, he’d be our best winning chance for the day if it wasn’t for his wide draw. But he’s an obvious inclusion for exotics, he should give a good account of himself.
Icy Blast had his first run for us recently and needed it. We think he still needs another race to bring him on and we’d like to see how he goes over 1400m. He is drawn widest of all, he’s a horse punters can look to follow after this run.”
There are two more in Race 5 over 1800m and Mat said: “
Nocturnal Flight has joined us, will be having his first outing for the yard. He has some fair form, looks like a nice sort, but this run will show us more about him. We’re hoping to see him finish it off well.
Trois Trois Quatre is improving again and showing us good work. He stayed on nicely when Miss Platina won last time. He is drawn wide, too, but he enjoys 1800m and has a chance of finishing in the money, include him.”
In Race 9 over 1200m,
Expect Temptation is another to make his debut for the stable. He is a three-time winner who has on occasion faced stronger, but Mat said that he’ll be better for the run, next time. “We need to learn more about Expect Temptation, we’ll be happy to see him run on in the race.”
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Saturday afternoon features two of the flagship races on the global horseracing calendar - the Dubai World Cup at Meydan and the Randox Grand National at Aintree in Liverpool. The action from Meydan in Dubai starts at 14:35. Betway’s boards have been updated for the Grand National, and the favourite, I Am Maximus, is available in the 13-2 range. He won the jumps spectacle last year. The race is off at 5pm.
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