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Mike de Kock spoke this week of his stable’s global strategy, a plan to shift horses between his respective operations in South Africa and Dubai to the yard of Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock in Cranbourne, Australia.
“I think this can be realised, because there is enough to suggest that South African, and especially Dubai form, will stack up in Australia,” he said. “We’ve seen good performances in Australia by former South African runner Najem Suhail and from our 2022 Carnival runner Magical Land. Our former runner Yulong Prince, a G1 winner in South Africa, didn’t manage a win at top level in Dubai but later won a G1 in Australia for Chris Waller and was described by Racenet as ‘an elite kind of racehorse’.
“We can send runners that will ordinarily have about eight months off between the end of the Dubai Carnival in April to January of the following year, to Australia, to compete in some of the best races there. Similarly, when they’ve completed their Australian spells they can return to Dubai for the next Carnival.
“There is also promise for South African racing and breeding. Australian racing fans enjoy SA racing and when the protocols are relaxed we’ll see more visits to South Africa, and this will have a spin-off for our breeders and our industry.”
With no runners from the De Kock stable this weekend, here is a preview of the
Durbanville meeting on Saturday, which includes a number of prospects for the 2023 CTS Gold Rush, competing in different events. They should be watched as qualification for the big race which carries a lucrative R5-million prize is a priority for their trainers.
Race 1: Candice Bass-Robinson spoke highly Of Max The Otter when he was due to have his second start a fortnight ago. He was scratched from that race, but gets a chance to show his worth here and looks the right one to kick off racing on what looks like a nice card.
Race 2: Gimmethegreenlight filly Strawberry Light made a pleasing 1000m debut and was doing her best work late in the race. With the benefit of that experience we can expect to see her jump from the gate faster this time. She’s the one to beat over the extra 250m.
Race 3: The best exposed form is with Richard Fourie’s mount Hear My Voice, but this is an awkward start to the Pick 6, an upset is possible.
Race 4: Gold Rush hopefuls Impetuous (promising debut) and Future Turn (three narrow defeats) are set to do battle. More value with the former.
Race 5: A trappy contest with up-and-coming three-year-olds facing older runners. Best could be Hammie’s Hero, who takes a big step up in class but is handily weighted and held in high regard. Best to load up in the exotics.
Race 6: A wide open contest in which a case can be made for most. No confidence here, but lightly raced Poltergeist may still be ahead of the handicapper and has eachway appeal.
Race 7: If his good draw and jockey booking are considered in a race packed with speed, the value lies with Safe Return, who faced stronger in Durban last season and could get back to winning ways back in Cape Town.
Race 8: Andre Nel has two form runners in the race, his jockey bookings suggest that Futurismo, well backed when unplaced in a minor feature race at Fairview last May, is worth another chance in a handicap back on home soil.
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Sandwiched in between is a Saturday meeting at Kenilworth at which it is interesting to note that top jockey Smanga Khumalo has taken three rides for Candice Bass-Robinson in the absence of her stable jockey, Aldo Domeyer. The stable’s Gold Poker Game is a leading contender in Race 2 over 1200m and On The Road Again tries 1000m in Race 7 and could spring a surprise.
Justin Snaith’s colt Future Turn, narrowly beaten in his last two, will be hard to oppose in Race 4 over 1600m and should come to light as a banker for the exotics.
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