Daily News Day comments

Jan Van Goyen will have his final preparation run into the Grade 1 R10-million Hollywoodbets Durban July in Saturday’s Race 7, the Grade 1 Daily News 2000. Lucky Fish ambassadors Mike and Mathew de Kock have left something to work with in his preparation, as they always do into big races, but the dual Grade 1 winner is in good nick and has a chance of getting into the money.

Mike de Kock commented: “We’d like to see if the July is ‘on’ for him or not. He ran a good race after being gelded last time. He was ridden cold, but I still thought that was a race he should’ve put to bed, and he didn’t. What we want in the Daily News is for him to run through the line hard, to show us he can finish it off well.

“We’d be happy to see just that, to take away our little bit of worry about Jan Van Goyen seeing out the trip. At his best, he has beaten most of them. If he returns to that level of form, he must have a big chance. But there is a stamina doubt, and it’s his second run after his gelding.

“Also, we have to think about the R10-million on offer in the ‘July’ – there is a carrot dangling there. We have to consider where we want him to be in a month’s time. He doesn’t give a lot away in work.”

Grade 2 TAB SA Derby winner Curious Girl opened at 22-10 on the Lucky Fish boards earlier this week and has already touched 9-10, following strong support for her in Race 5, the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m.

Mike said: “She’s done so well, incredibly well for a three-year-old filly after showing us almost nothing at the start of her career. She is going to be a very nice, genuine stayer at four and five years of age.

“Curious Girl has a handy rating, she’s been correctly placed and is getting better. She is very sound and has a good mind. We gave her a break after the Derby, but she’s had quite a lot of work since then. I have done as much as I can with her at home. She will improve with the run, but I think she is good enough to win.”

Scott’s Bar has his second career run in Race 4 over 1400m. He has not shown much at home, is expected to improve on his moderate debut, but he is not considered to have a winning chance. Mike said the stable will be very happy with a minor place.”