Runner comments, Turffontein Thursday

Lucky Fish Ambassadors Mike and Mathew de Kock send out three runners on the inside track at Turffontein on Thursday, and Bristol Hercules (Race 5, 1600m) is the most fancied of the trio.

This is a Graduation Plate in which Graded-placed three-year-olds King Harald and A Bit Of Class are best weighted, but Mat feels that the mile on the inside track could be Bristol Hercules’ ‘sweet spot’.

He commented: “King Harald earned his high rating over shorter, and the filly comes off a rest. Bristol Hercules hasn’t won for two years, but he has been touched off several times and perhaps this is his day. He is doing well.”

Stokesy (Race 1, 1700m), has been fancied on occasion and was recommended as a value bet when he was soundly beaten into fourth in his recent comeback run after being gelded.

Mat said: “Stokesy is a good work horse at home, but so far he has promised the world only to deliver an atlas. We’re trying him with a tongue-tie today. He doesn’t have an obvious breathing problem, but he runs like a horse who does. He moves up well and then fades out. Hopefully he can race all the way through today. Royale Jacket seems to have us held on form, but Stokesy has a chance.”

There isn’t too much confidence about Emerald Forge in Race 4, 1450m. Mat said: “She is very limited and will be going on an online sale soon. She has a tricky draw and things will need to go her way. We’re hoping she can be competitive in a weak field, but she’s no star.”