Our weekend runner previews

The return to the racetrack at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday of 2023/4 Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King is a weekend highlight for Lucky Fish ambassadors, Mike and Mathew de Kock.

Dave The King successfully followed a three-run seasonal programme in KwaZulu-Natal in both 2024 and 2025 – beginning with a pipe-opener in May before progressing to the Hollywoodbets G1 Gold Challenge and the HKJC G1 Champions Cup. Mike and Mat will once again prepare him along the same route in 2026, starting with his comeback appearance in Race 5 over 1400m.

Dave The King has won the contest at his last two attempts, and Mike commented: “This year’s race has been changed from 1500m to 1400m and we don’t know why.  I’m still battling to get my head around the programming in KwaZulu-Natal. But Dave The King is very well and fresh, and he goes into the race appearing to be in the same good form as last year. I like what I see. He is older now, so we cannot say whether he will race with the same zest, but based on what he is showing us at home, we are confident of another good season.

“Icy Blast is in the same race as Dave The King. He has only had two starts this year and will need the run.”

Mike filed notes on the stable other Sunday runners:

Race 1, 1400m: “Split The Gee and Scott’s Bar are two first-timers, colts by Malmoos. Neither are them are showing us much at the moment.”

Race 2, 1000m: “Scots Wae Hae ran very well, as expected, first time out. He should be very competitive here, strong chance. Gimme A Fireball is by Gimmethegreenlight out of Dream De Ra, a mare who has already produced three decent sprinters. This youngster has ability, but he is a bit of a ‘Billy Boy’, quite coltish. He will benefit from the experience, we hope to see a forward run.”

Race 7, 1600m: “Officer in Command ran a nice race for us last time, he is fit and well. He has won over the course and distance and gets a 4kg claim, but his wide draw is a concern. It won’t be easy from there.”

Here are Mat’s comments for Turffontein (standside track) on Saturday:

Race 1, 1160m: “Feast Of Berries (Vercingetorix) is a half-sister to Graded-placed Rondebosch. She’s a nice type of filly showing some good work at home. She is not and out-and-out sprinter, and will be a bit green. We’d like to see her running at them, a forward display is expected.”

Race 5, 1600m: “Buster Barnes is coming off a layoff. He is quite a heavy horse and after the rain we’ve had on the tracks, will need a run or two to come to hand. He is one to keep an eye on in his next few outings.”

Race 8, 1100m: “Destiny Of Fire ran a cracker after stumbling at the gates last time. She was out at level weights that day and finished on the heels of Perfect Miracle. She is the best weighted horse this time, we would have preferred a 1200m but she should run a big race. Hoping she can get the job done.”