Mike de Kock has runners in Gauteng and KZN this weekend.
The Betway Ambassador sends out Beamonesque in Race 2 over 1200m on the inside track at
Turffontein on Saturday, to start. This son of Rafeef was impressive when he won his Maiden at the course and distance last October. He was rested and gelded after that and has taken time to come to hand in three runs since, the second of which saw him jump awkwardly. Taken to the inside from a wide draw, he almost ran into the rail, became unbalanced and fell out of contention.
Beamonesque fared a lot better in a 1200m heat at Scottsville last week when he was up with the pace and only weakened over the last 200m. Mike said: “He pulled up well after the race, so we left him in the Turffontein Graduation Plate. He travelled back to Johannesburg on Thursday. He’s at the right course, but his rivals are strong. He needs more runs, we’ll race him to peak fitness. He is improving, has a Quartet chance.”
Jaham, the colt by Kingman, steps up from 1450m to 1600m in Race 3, a Maiden Plate in which the exposed form of his rivals is not overly impressive. Mike said. “Jaham finished nine lengths back on his debut but nothing went right for him that day. He was green, played up at the pens and needed the experience. He is better than that, will make improvement and has a chance of running into the money.”
Zinovi (Race 7, 1450m) performed more or less to expectations last week. He just needed his outing after being gelded but stayed on late over 1200m and finished third in a strong race. He also recovered well from the run and Mike said: “I’m backing him up quick but he is in good shape and he enjoys this course and distance. If he can get over from his draw, he’ll be a serious runner. Include him in your play.”
Mvelelo took a long time to win his Maiden – he broke his duck at Greyville last month - but seems to have turned the corner after being gelded last January and now has the potential for more success. He’s in Race 5 over 1750m at HWB Scottsville on Sunday and Muzi Yeni, who won for the stable on Officer in Command this week, retains the ride.
Mike said: “Mvelolo has made good progress. He’s the type of horse that can follow up on his Maiden win, but there are a few other runners in the race also coming out of the Maidens, and some with fair form. This is a race that will give us an idea where we stand. Mvelelo has the ability to win again, so warrants inclusion.”
The Western Cape meeting is at HWB Durbanville, where the Pick 6 looks a margin easier than the one at Turffontein. There are a two, potential bankers in the Pick 6 races (3-8), and both of them are trained by Vaughan Marshall. Cumbre Vieja (Race 4, 1400m) is well overdue his first win following three seconds in a row. Champion jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride him for the first time and this could make a telling difference.
Marshall’s four-year-old Questioning, one of last season’s leading classic contenders, returns to the track in Race 8 over 1250m. He has a full field to contend with, but most of them are having preparations runs for races over more ground, while Questioning has won both his starts over the course and distance. He is also drawn right in the middle, which will give jockey JP van der Merwe options to move to the inside or the outside if there is an evident track bias on the day.
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