Weekend runner comments

Mike and Mathew de Kock’s first weekend runner is expected to be a winner, and the Lucky Fish ambassadors also have a few lurkers in the pack on Saturday at Turffontein and Sunday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Mat believes that the ASSM Syndicate’s Rafeef filly Staggerwing (Rafeef) can follow up on her second-placed debut with a win in Race 1 over 1160m at Turffontein and said she was the stable’s best for the weekend. “She was beaten by the highly regarded Secretary Bird, who’d had a run under the belt and was better on the day. Staggerwing was almost five lengths clear of the third-placed horse and I think she’ll frank the form.  There are a few unraced runners against us, the unknown factors always come into play. But we’re confident she can win it.”

Detailed Forecast (Gimmethegreenlight) goes to post in Race 3 over 1160m. She showed some pace in a warm-up sprint after a rest recently and Mat said: “She ran out of puff over the last 200m. We’re not sure what her ideal distance is yet, so we’re giving her one more sprint. We’re hoping she can run through the line this time. If she doesn’t hit the podium, we’ll probably look to extend her distance next time.”

Stokesy (Fire Away) is an interesting runner in Race 4 over 1160m. He has been fancied over further a few times, without success, and was gelded after his last run. “Stokesy took his gelding extremely well. He’s been working really well and he’s the dark horse of the race. We haven’t established what his right distance is, hence our decision to start him off again in a sprint. His gallops at home over 800m and 1000m on turf have been of a high standard, so don’t leave him out of play, include him in your Pick 6. If he doesn’t place or win, he is one to watch over a bit more ground in future.”

Here are Mat’s notes for Sunday at HWB Scottsville:

Race 4, 2400m: “Curious Girl is in good form and has improved with every run. She stays well, so should enjoy the 2400m. She kept going gamely to win last time, should have a good eachway chance again.”

Race 8, 1500m: “We have Tyrconnell and Cymric in the Fever Tree Stakes. Tyrconnell is doing quite nicely at home and it wouldn’t surprise us to see him pop up into the money under his light weight. He can be competitive at this level. This is his second run after a rest, he may not be at full fitness yet, but his work at home suggests he will make good improvement on his last run. Cymric was a touch unlucky last time. He did all the donkey work and was just caught late. He seems to be improving as well. We’re drawn a bit sticky, but hopefully with Keagan De Melo up he can overcome that. With a few favours in the race, he can play a role and has an eachway shout.

Race 9, 1500m: “Take No Prisoners has been very disappointing. We tried to race him without any headgear last time and that backfired. We’re putting the blinkers and a tongue-tie back on, but at this point he inspires no confidence.”