MIKE DE KOCK ON 2010 DURBAN JULY FORM

River Jetez - J&B Met 2010
(Photo : Gold Circle)

VODACOM DURBAN JULY
Greyville, 31 July 2010

David Thiselton Gold CircleVodacom Durban July pundits around the country will be asking during the next two weeks “where is that German octopus when we need him” and the man with seven horses in this year’s race, Mike de Kock, agreed that the form leading into the big race also has him “stumped”.

Mike de Kock began by saying that he was happy with his horses’ draws. “We’ve got the whole field covered although the 19 and 20 draws have been reserved for me as usual.” Talking of the pace he said, “They tell me Red Rake likes to stride along, but I’m not sure that suits him best. We might actually want it slower for some of our horses, but we will discuss tactics closer to the time.”

He confirmed that all seven of his horses were doing very well before adding, “I have no real fancies among them. The weights might have swung aganst some of the three-year-olds, but have swung into Lizarre’s favour. If you look at his last race in the Pinnacle Plate he went close despite the slow pace, so it was a very good run. Now he has a pull in the weights with the older horses there (although he doesn’t have a pull with the three-year-old winner Flying Tristram). He also has a pull in the weights with Irish Flame and Bold Silvano from the Daily News 2000. He has an obvious chance, but then he is drawn 20.”

“Bold Silvano and Irish Flame are both very, very well. There are two schools of thought regarding the three-year-olds these days. Firstly history would say they have a lot to do at the weights. But secondly a lot of the best older horses have left the country, which could be why the three-year-olds have been dominant. The race this year is also at the end of the month which gives the three-year-olds a weight-for-age advantage. The three-year-olds have campaigned much more against the older horses this year due to the race being at the end of July. But I can’t really make my mind up about them.”

“The form is so topsy turvy. Bold Silvano beat Aslan in the Greyville 1900, but Aslan’s subsequent form hasn’t seen that form stand up. Orbison was well beaten in Jo’burg, but then comes and runs the race of his life in the Champions Cup.”

“But in that race two horses that turned for home in the first three were first and second and the second horse, Galileo’s Galaxy, was previously well beaten in a Pinnacle Plate and only just scraped home in a Graduation Plate against Directorate. But then again Flying Tristram’s form when beating Orbison in the Cup Trial stood up as he then won the Pinnacle Plate against Fort Vogue, Rudra, Lizarre and Aslan. The form is so upside down it has me stumped, but it is the three-year-olds that have thrown it like that by beating older horses.”

De Kock’s views on the three-year-olds have particular meaning this year as five of his seven runners - Irish Flame, Bold Silvano, Lizarre, Happy Valley and Ancestral Fore - are three, with his couple of older horses, Red Rake and Rudra, both being five.

De Kock said of the dangers from other yards, “The one horse that sticks out like a sore thumb to me is River Jetez. Whatever beats her will win. She is the one horse the handicapper has not been able to get his paws on to.” Regarding whether he reckoned River Jetez would stay a true 2200m or not, he said, “In 2008 she hit the front too soon and is an older stronger filly today.”

He did not see the Jeff Lloyd July jinx as a factor in River Jetez’s chances, “Muis Roberts had a July jinx but that didn’t stop him pipping me in 1997!” The Roberts-ridden Super Quality beat Golden Hoard by 0,75 lengths in that race and also ended something of a July jinx for the Ferraris family.

De Kock also mentioned Pocket Power, saying that although he was virtually eight-years-old he was yet to run a bad race.

SA DERBY 2010 : FINAL FIELD

R1,5 Million SA DERBY (Grade 1)
Turffontein 2450m
24 April 2010

(3rd Leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown)

FINAL FIELD

No	Horse	Kg	MR	Dr	Jockey	Trainer
1	PIERRE JOURDAN	57.0	112	3	D David	Gary Alexander
2	IRISH FLAME	57.0	106	6	K Shea	Mike de Kock
3	IWANNADANCE	57.0	105	9	S Chambers	Roy Magner
4	SERVICE ACE	57.0	104	1	G Lerena	Mike Azzie
5	FLYING TRISTRAM (AUS)	57.0	103	5	J Geroudis	Charles Laird
6	SMANJEMANJE	57.0	102	10	S Khumalo	Tyrone Zackey
7	NYAKATHO	57.0	101	11	S Brown	Ernie Anderson
8	FORT PETERSBERG	57.0	98	13	B Lerena	Dominic Zaki
9	CONQUERED DREAM (AUS)	57.0	96	14	A Marcus	Charles Laird
10	DREAM ISLAND	57.0	92	2	M V’Rensberg	Stuart Pettigrew
11	HAPPY VALLEY (ARG)	57.0	91	7	M Yeni	Mike de Kock
12	ILSANPIETRO (BRZ)	57.0	89	12	A Delpech	Mike de Kock
13	DRAW BRIDGE	57.0	88	4	G Wrogemann	Robbie Sage
14	MIRAGE DRIVE	57.0	87	8	G Figueroa	Tyrone Zackey

PIERRE JOURDAN : GAUTENG GUINEAS RESULTS AND VIDEO

Click above to watch Pierre Jourdan winning the Gauteng Guineas (Gr2)
(Footage : SuperSport)

GAUTENG GUINEAS (Gr2)
(1st Leg of the SA Triple Crown)

PIERRE JOURDAN (Parade Leader x Vin Fizz by Qui Danzig)
3 Year Old Bay Gelding
Owners : Emilio Baisero and Gary Alexander
Trainer : Gary Alexander
Jockey : Derreck David
Breeder : Summerhill Stud
Win Time : 97.08
Career Record : 5 Wins, 1 Place, 6 Starts

RACE RESULT
TURFFONTEIN 1600m TURF
28 FEBRUARY 2010

#	LBH	Horse	Kg	MR	Dr	Jockey	Trainer
1	0	PIERRE JOURDAN	57.0	107	3	D David	Gary Alexander
2	2.75	HAVASHA	57.0	96	11	P Strydom	Mike de Kock
3	3.00	GALILEO’S GALAXY (Aus)	57.0	103	6	A Marcus	Charles Laird
4	4.25	FLYING TRISTRAM (Aus)	57.0	94	9	J Geroudis	Charles Laird
5	4.50	IWANNADANCE	57.0	90	1	S Chambers	Roy Magner
6	4.75	BULSARA	57.0	102	10	M Odendaal	Gavin van Zyl
7	5.25	SERVICE ACE	57.0	85	7	G Lerena	Mike Azzie
8	6.00	NYAKATHO	57.0	98	5	S Brown	Ernie Anderson
9	7.50	GLUWEIN	54.5	100	13	A Delpech	Mike de Kock
10	15.00	SMANJEMANJE	57.0	91	14	S Khumalo	Tyrone Zackey
11	17.50	DELLOTTO	57.0	97	2	*D Mansour	Kumaran Naidoo
12	18.25	DRAW BRIDGE	57.0	85	4	G Wrogemann	Robbie Sage
13	26.50	FORT PETERSBURG	57.0	95	12	G Figueroa	Dominic Zaki
14	28.00	MAHOGANY	57.0	85	8	M Mienie	Paul Matchett

For more information please visit :
www.summerhill.co.za

BATTING FOR GUINEAS GLORY

Smanjemanje and Pierre Jourdan
(Photo : JC Photographics)

GAUTENG GUINEAS (GR2)
TURFFONTEIN

Charl Pretorius www.racingweb.co.zaPlease find following pen pictures and opening betting for the R1million Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) to be run at Turffontein this Saturday, 27 February. The Gauteng Guineas is the first leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown and is one of four major feature races on the day.

1 PIERRE JOURDAN

R60,000 Buy from the Summerhill draft at the 2008 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale, strong and smart with a fine turn of foot. Has won four of five starts including the 2009 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup and more recently a 1400m contest at this track where he beat Galileo’s Galaxy (2kg worse off) by a neck with Echohawk close behind in third. First time this distance but he should enjoy the 1600m. Big chance from an inside draw, to make it two from the last three runnings of this race for Summerhill following Imbongi’s big victory in 2007.

Career record: 4 Wins, 1 Place, 5 Runs. Earnings: R999,425.

2 ECHOHAWK

Talented galloper with good looks to match. He has proved he is not too far off the best of his generation and stayed on resolutely when third behind Pierre Jourdan over 1400m here last time. Better this trip, which brings him right into the reckoning, especially as he is handily drawn and Gavin Lerena rides again.

Career record: 3 Wins, 2 Places, 7 Runs. Earnings: R177,425.

3 GALILEO’S GALAXY

Impressive son of Galileo. Has performed consistently well at the highest level and can be considered unlucky not to have won a feature to date. Runner-up last three starts including going down to Noordhoek Flyer in the Cape Guineas. Something to find with Pierre Jourdan on his last effort, but utmost respect.

Career record: 2 Wins, 3 Places, 5 Runs. Earnings: R442,500.

4 BULSARA

Trainer Gavin van Zyl says Bulsara is an “awesome thoroughbred” and one can ignore his only failure, when downfield in the Dingaans after being forced to check and thereafter taking no interest. His best runs include a 3.25-length drubbing of Grade 1 winner Exhilaration. One for the shortlist.

Career record: 2 Wins, 3 Places, 7 Runs. Earnings: R291,380.

5 NYAKATHO

Nyakatho’s form looked ordinary until he came within half a length of beating Dingaans hero Curved Ball in the Secretariat Stakes over 1800m. That seemed to show, however, that his strength lies in races beyond 1600m and he can be given only an outside place chance in this contest.

Career record: 1 Win, 4 Places, 8 Runs. Earnings: R133,250.

6 DELLOTTO

One of several sons of former Durban July winner Dynasty to come to the fore this season. Showed a depth of ability when beating a few decent older horses in the 1800m Michael Roberts Handicap last month. Dellotto looks better over a bit more ground, but that doesn’t mean he can’t flash up late and snatch a place.

Career record: 3 Wins, 4 Places, 9 Runs. Earnings: R187,000.

7 HAVASHA

This son of Kahal has flattered only to deceive, but is the only runner to have lowered the colours of Pierre Jourdan (now 2.5kg better off for a nose beating). The stable feels he needs to be gelded after disappointing last time out, but Piere Strydom gets a rare ride for Mike de Kock so don’t leave him out of Quartets.

Career record: 3 Wins, 2 Places, 7 Runs. Earnings: R363,800.

8 FORT PETERSBURG

The second of two runners from the stable of Dominic Zaki, who will also saddle Echohawk. A capable and stoutly bred individual with good future prospects. Fourth in the 1600m Dingaans back in November, but held by runner-up Galileo’s Galaxy on that form and faced with a wide draw. Small place chance.

Career record: 1 Win, 5 Places, 6 Runs. Earnings: R117,200.

9 FLYING TRISTRAM

Another well-bred and talented individual from Charles Laird’s stable, he has worked his way through minor ranks and now faces his sternest test. His stable companion Galileo’s Galaxy is preferred, but this one looks a top sort in the making. Don’t be surprised if he lays down a serious challenge.

Career record: 3 Wins, 3 Places, 6 Runs. Earnings: R165,025.

10 SMANJEMANJE

Smanjemanje has turned in a number of good runs, including a fourth to Exhilaration in the Grade 1 Premier’s Stakes and a narrow defeat by Pierre Jourdan in a 1450m Progress Plate at level weights here last October. Doesn’t always run to that level of form though and has a tough task here from a wide draw.

Career record: 2 Wins, 6 Places, 11 Runs. Earnings: R179,000.

11 IWANNADANCE

Has taken a bit of time to come to hand and has been racing against much weaker opposition than he encounters in this event. But there was much to like about his victory over 1450m on the inside track recently and he is obviously still improving. Should also be suited to this longer distance. Outside place chance.

Career record: 2 Wins, 6 Places, 11 Runs. Earnings: R211,225.

12 DRAW BRIDGE

Beat feature-placed Nyakatho in a Maiden Plate in only his second outing and that suggests he is well above average. But he has done nothing in his three subsequent runs to indicate he is up to the task of shaping in this class and has had only one run since a rest after missing a preparatory run because of rain.

Career record: 1 Win, 1 Place, 5 Runs. Career earnings: R58,650.

13 MAHOGANY

This son of leading stallion Silvano has shown marked improvement since being rested and gelded, posting two nice wins in succession this year. He quickened away from his rivals in a minor handicap over 1450m in his last start. But this is a big step up in class and he looks to have a mountain to climb.

Career record: 2 Wins, 4 Places, 7 Runs. Earnings: R118,375.

14 SERVICE ACE

Troublesome at the start of his races, Service Ace recently spent a week in the care of this country’s own “Horse Whisperer” Malan du Toit. Trainer Mike Azzie believes this has done the trick for his beautifully bred charge, who he rates as a serious classic contender this season. Azzie’s opinion must be respected.

Career record: 1 Win, 2 Places, 5 Runs. Earnings: R71,275.

15 GLUWEIN

Trainer Mike de Kock has a tremendous string of three-year-old fillies this season and he’s pitched Gluwein in against the males instead of aiming her at the Gauteng Fillies Guineas. She produced a terrific late burst to deadheat with Love Is In the Air in the 1600m Majorca Stakes on J&B Met Day and has to be considered.

Career record: 3 Wins, 3 Places, 6 Runs. Earnings: R323,225.

FINAL FIELD

#	DR	HORSE	TRAINER	JOCKEY	WEIGHT	MR
1	3	PIERRE JOURDAN	Gary Alexander	D David	57.0	107
2	4	ECHOHAWK	Dominic Zaki	G Lerena	57.0	103
3	7	GALILEO’S GALAXY	Charles Laird	A Marcus	57.0	103
4	11	BULSARA	Gavin van Zyl	M Odendaal	57.0	102
5	6	NYAKATHO	Ernie Anderson	S Brown	57.0	98
6	2	DELLOTTO	Kumaran Naidoo	M Yeni	57.0	97
7	12	HAVASHA	Mike de Kock	P Strydom	57.0	96
8	13	FORT PETERSBURG	Dominic Zaki	G Figueroa	57.0	95
9	10	FLYING TRISTRAM (Aus)	Charles Laird	J Geroudis	57.0	94
10	15	SMANJEMANJE	Tyrone Zackey	S Khumalo	57.0	91
11	1	IWANNADANCE	Roy Magner	S Chambers	57.0	90
12	5	DRAW BRIDGE	Robbie Sage	G Wrogermann	57.0	85
13	9	MAHOGANY	Paul Matchett	M Mienie	57.0	85
14	8	SERVICE ACE	Mike Azzie	C Orffer	57.0	85
15	14	GLUWEIN	Mike de Kock	A Delpech	54.5	100

OPENING BETTING

2-1 Pierre Jourdan, 5-2 Galileo’s Galaxy, 7-1 Echohawk, Havasha, Gluwein, 10-1 Flying Tristram, 12-1 Bulsara, 20-1 Fort Petersburg, 35-1 Dellotto, 33-1 Nyakatho, 50-1 the rest of the field.