Mike de Kock has two runners at
Saturday’s Turffontein meeting, scheduled for the inside track. Both have chances.
The three-year-old Maiden, Holocene, has been entered for race 3, a handicap over 1450m. Mike said: “He’s a Maiden against winners, but I give him a shout. He’s not out of it from a good draw and looks well in, off his net merit rating. I’ve been watching his races. He moves up to win over 1600m and just runs out of steam late, so I think the 1450m will be right up his alley here. He is doing well, an interesting runner.”
Arividicio (race 5, 1450m) is approaching his best form and is close to his right rating. Mike commented: “He is very well and also has a nice draw. He does like the sting out of the ground, however, and the hard track is a bit of a worry. But include him, he has the ability.”
At opening calls of 8-1 and 10-1 respectively, the Place double on Holocene and Arividicio works out in the order of 6-1, worth a small investment.
Mike’s good handicapper Forever Mine (52kg) won the Pinnacle Stakes over 1450m at the corresponding meeting in 2022, beating William Robertson (62kg). Corne Spies’ big horse is back off the same weight for the same preparation run (race 4) into the G2 Spring Challenge, a race he won last year. Spies believes that William Robertson can win his prep this time as he comes into the race in very good order. But Running Rifles (50kg) seems to fit the same profile as Forever Mine and could spoil the Spies party. The swinger looks a good bet.
Later in the day, a case can be made for 12-1 chance Tanganga, who showed more like his true ability in a 1450m race at the Vaal last time. Back over 1200m, and with the booking of jockey Gavin Lerena pointing to a good run, he is the value bet of the day, in the 12-1 range on Friday. Those odds are unlikely to last long.
In looking through the Scottsville card for Sunday, the first runner to catch the eye is Tienie Prinsloo-strained One Smart Cookie in Race 2 over 1200m. Drawn on the inside of the track, and tellingly re-united with SManga Khumalo, this well-bred filly is probably one for the first leg of multiple bets.
Tony Rivalland’s King Of The Gauls (race 4, 1000m) was rumoured a top sort and backed from 5-1 to 2-1 favourite when fourth in a strong Maiden on his August debut. He was speedy and prominent in that contest and has a nice action. With Richard Fourie in the irons, he is likely to atone and has the makings of a Pick 6 banker.
One other to include on the day is Tybalt (race 6, 1600m). He was slow off the mark and needed his first run over 1400m, but will have come on with that run and will enjoy the extra. The new Dean Kannemeyer/Craig Zackey partnership will be featuring with increasing prominence as Dean gets his runners into gear over the next several weeks.
*The 2023-24 season in Hong Kong gets under way at 06.25 SA time on Sunday with a 10-race card at Sha Tin. South African rider Keagan de Melo has joined compatriots Luke Ferraris and Lyle Hewitson in Hong Kong and has three rides at his first meeting there (Races 5, 8 and 10). Hewitson’s mounts include Michael Chang-trained Big Red, who should go well under a light weight in Race 7. Use the
Betway Tote portal to take part.
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