Runners, HWB Greyville 10/5; Turffontein 11/5

Mike and Mathew de Kock have a chance of success in Race 6, the KRA Cup over 1000m, at HWB Greyville on Saturday - The Abdicator (headline photo) has his second outing for the yard. He flashed up late for fourth in the novel 400m dash last week and Mathew commented: “The Abdicator had a nice blow-out in last week’s sprint and acquitted himself very well. He was making up good ground. He has the benefit of a good draw and a light weight and we’re looking forward to see how he shapes, back over 1000m. We’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t make the top four.”

Khetiwe’s Destiny, fancied in recent weeks, tries further in Race 4 over 1400m. Mat said: “She ran a big race from a wide draw last week, there was a strong draw bias, especially over the shorter trips. She’ll enjoy getting back to 1400m, she had one good 1400m run before, against the likes of Quid Pro Quo and Fatal Flaw. She has a good gate this time, and a strong eachway chance.”

Nocturnal Flight is in Race 8 over 1900m and Mat commented: “He ran a fair race for us last time, also from a poor draw, but he is a limited horse. We’d like to him get into the money so we can have more confidence about him.”

Sunday’s standalone meeting takes place on the inside track at Turffontein, where the stable has three further runners.

First up are White Pearl and Gimmeanotherchance, both in Race 6, a strong Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m. Said Mat: “White Pearl has had a bit of a freshen-up after her last race, we’re getting her ready for the Tibouchina Stakes in Durban. We’d like to see her run on at the end of this contest, and this will be a nice stepping stone. Gimmeanotherchance seems to take after his name. He has let the side down a few times but had a good excuse last time when mucus was found in his trachea. He is a horse with ability. Punters going wide in the exotics should include him, because he is capable of much better and it wouldn’t surprise us if he makes the frame.”

Immediate Edge (photo below) is one of the favourites In Race 7, the Betway Secretariat Stakes over 14500m. Mat told: “He pulled up quite stiff behind after the SA Derby on 29 March and we gelded him on the Monday after the race.  Remarkably, as soon as he was gelded, it was like a relief to his body. He started moving freely. Since then, he hasn’t missed a beat, his training work has been good. He can be quite lethargic so we’ve been working him with blinkers and we’ll be fitting blinkers in the race to sharpen him up. The 1400m is a bit short for him, but we’d like to see him run well and finish the race off strongly. He has room for improvement, but he is a classy horse so you have to include him in all bets.”