Easy and professional
Sunday, 18 Jan 2026
Newcomer Flower Island handled her first visit to the racetrack as if she'd been there a few times before. She took a Maiden Plate over 1200m in a fast 56,87s, laying the early foundations for what could be a promising career.
That she's by versatile sire Rafeef out of Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic winner, Orchid Island - and shows such good pace - is a further encouraging sign that Mathew de Kock admitted makes him "very excited" about this prospect.
Flower Island won by 3,70-lengths under Callan Murray, who said: "She was professional about everything. She extended away when I asked her for an effort."
Mat said: "Flower Island was our first baby runner and we had a bit of confidence, though she had to come out and prove it. She was very well prepared in our pre-training barn by my mom (Diane) and Vivian Nkosi, and she's owned by a lovely partnership of friends."
Mike de Kock, on a rare visit to the Vaal, said he had a "good feeling" about Flower Island, and went on to celebrate in what he descrined as the "refreshing" new dining facility recently launched at the country course.
Flower Island races for Steven and Jessica Jell, Chris Haynes, George Ragunan and Fieldspring Racing. She was bred by Wilgerbosdrift/Mauritzfontein.
That she's by versatile sire Rafeef out of Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic winner, Orchid Island - and shows such good pace - is a further encouraging sign that Mathew de Kock admitted makes him "very excited" about this prospect.
Flower Island won by 3,70-lengths under Callan Murray, who said: "She was professional about everything. She extended away when I asked her for an effort."
Mat said: "Flower Island was our first baby runner and we had a bit of confidence, though she had to come out and prove it. She was very well prepared in our pre-training barn by my mom (Diane) and Vivian Nkosi, and she's owned by a lovely partnership of friends."
Mike de Kock, on a rare visit to the Vaal, said he had a "good feeling" about Flower Island, and went on to celebrate in what he descrined as the "refreshing" new dining facility recently launched at the country course.
Flower Island races for Steven and Jessica Jell, Chris Haynes, George Ragunan and Fieldspring Racing. She was bred by Wilgerbosdrift/Mauritzfontein.