Runner comments, 24/4; 26/4; 28/4
Friday, 24 Apr 2026
Mike and Mathew de Kock are hoping that Tyrconnell can break his winless drought in Race 8 over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening. He’s finally cracked a better draw, and Lucky Fish has priced him up at 33-10 favourite to post his first win since January 2025.
Mike commented: “We’re putting the cheek pieces back on Tyrconnell. He’s been more genuine since his wind operation and has been unlucky a few times. Perhaps tonight is his night, we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
Bai Yulo, a close third on her 1600m debut, steps up to 1900m in Race 4. Mike said: “She was showing us nothing at home and started at 100-1 when she placed first time out. She’s around 2-1 tonight and we’re hoping she one of those fillies that reserves her best for the racetrack.
“We trained Bai Yulo’s dam, The Centenary. She similarly didn’t expose much in her work and then excelled at racing over ground and as she matured. Bai Yulo placed in a strangely run race. We’ll see if she can confirm the form. She is doing well.”
Officer In Command is the outsider of the party in Race 6 over 1900m. This is his third run after a rest and Mike said: “He is in good condition. We’re stretching him a bit at this trip, but he gets 4kg off for the apprentice and that will help. He has place prospects.”
The team will saddle five runners at Hollywoodbets Scottsvillle on Sunday, starting with Diamond Maker in Race 4 over 1400m. Mike said: “He’s coming off an injury following his debut last October, in which we expected a bit better. He’s doing fine at home ahead of his return. He has an outside place chance and will improve with the run.”
My Lucky Charm and Next Of Kin are both in Race 6 over 1600m, and are considered to have eachway chances. “They’re well exposed, what you see is what you get. They’re both looking for their second career wins in a field with many chances. We brought My Lucky Charm to Durban for the polytrack, he is handily weighted but probably better on the poly. Next Of Kin enjoys the distance. They are both fit and should get a look in.”
I’m A Fireball is an interesting runner in Race 8, the Listed In Full Flight Stakes over 1100m. He drops back in trip and Mike said: “He won his debut over 1000m and ran very well in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m as a two-year-old. He is a better horse after being gelded and is in very good form at home. We want to see how he goes back down the straight over the shorter trip, with a view to running him in the Golden Horse Sprint in May. If they go hard early, he could finish off well here.”
A Good Heart returns to the track after a lengthy break in Race 10 over 1100m and will need the run.
Mathew de Kock filed his comments for the Championship Finale meeting at Turffontein, which has been postponed from Saturday to next Tuesday due to a waterlogged track:
Race 4, 1100m: “Good Day Sunshine is in a rematch with Get Up in the Pretty Polly Stakes and is 2kg worse off on their TAB SA Nursery encounter. There are a few new contenders against us too, so it’s an interesting race. Our filly is doing very well, she has a good chance again. This is a stepping stone for the Grade 1 sprint at Scottsville after which she will be rested. We’re happy with her work.”
Race 5, 3200m: “We’re experimenting with Aladdin’s Lamp over staying trips. He is 2,5kg better off at the weights with Enflame, but he beat us convincingly in the Caradoc Cup so looks hard to oppose again. Shoot The Rapids is also a strong rival. We can’t fault Aladdin’s Lamp at home. He is in good form. If he sees it out well, it could be a three-horse race.”
Race 9, 1160m: “Destiny Of Fire shows a lot of speed in her track work in the mornings, so while she is in good form we’re giving her a try in this feature sprint. She has quite a good turn of foot over 1450m and if she can break well and latch onto the pace-setters, she’s not without a chance. She could be a dark horse.”
