Ahead of next week’s Gold Cup Day meeting at
HWB Greyville, Mathew de Kock reported that the stable’s big gun, Dave The King, put up a good piece of work on Wednesday. He is being prepared for the Grade 1 HKJC Champions Cup, one of the graded features of the afternoon.
Jockey Callan Murray rode Dave The King on the grass track at the Summerveld Training Centre and commented: “He has improved since his win in the Gold Challenge. He is a fit horse.”
Those are encouraging words for supporters of the big miler, who will be up against HWB Durban July winner, The Real Prince, and young gun Fire Attack, the Premiers Challenge victor, in what promises to be one of the best races of the season next Sunday.
Mike and Mathew have runners at Saturday’s Turffontein meeting and have also provided previews for the meetings at HWB Scottsville on Sunday and next Wednesday, and the meeting scheduled for the Vaal classic track next Thursday.
Turffontein, Standside, Saturday 19 July:
Race 3, 1400m: “Newcomer
Big Joe (The United States) is showing some very nice work in his home gallops. A lot will depend on how green he will be, but based on his trackwork he has a winning chance.”
HWB Scottsville, Sunday, 20 July:
Race 3, 1400m: “Next Of Kin was slightly disappointing last time, but looks as if he will like the step up in trip. He will need some luck in running from his outside draw, but he is well and has a nice eachway chance.”
Race 8, 1400m: “Sparkling Jubilee seems to have bounced back in work, following her below par last run. She is one you have to include, she has a money chance in this line-up.”
HWB Scottsville, Wednesday, 20 July:
Race 2, 1000m: “A first-timer for us in the form of
Exocet (by Mehmas). He’s a well-bred colt that shows a lot of speed in his work. He is bred for sprinting, should run a nice race and we give him a first-three chance.”
Race 4, 1400m: “Greenhouse has flattered to deceive in her last few runs. We’re putting blinkers on her. We’ve tried her in blinkers at home and that seems to have worked, we’re hoping she can reproduce. She has some prospects off a lower rating.”
Race 5, 1600m: “Bristol Hercules pulled up a bit sore after his promising last start for us, but he is fine again now, showing good work again and should go close in his next few outings. He is one to follow.”
Race 7, 1200m: “We fancied
Khetiwe’s Destiny in a few races recently, as reported here, and we’ve been disappointed that she hasn’t won again. We’ll be fitting her with blinkers and a tongue tie, her work is still very good and we’re hoping the equipment will help to get her into the winner’s enclosure. In the same race is
Officer in Command, we’ve given the ride to apprentice Bongani Makhubo, who is the son of our late stable employee and top work rider Abram Makhubo. This is too short, it’s a pipe-opener for him, we’re happy to give Bongani a ride. This horse will come on, and be at his peak in his next two or three starts.”
Vaal, Thursday, 23 July:
Race 1, 1200m: “This is
Fire Starter’s first run as a gelding. He was pulling before, he has improved in work and seems to have settled down a bit. We’re not sure what his right distance will be, so the 1200m is a bit of a look-see. But his work is good enough to get into the money, he has a Trifecta chance.”
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