Weekend runner previews

Lucky Fish ambassadors Mike and Mathew de Kock have a number of interesting runners this weekend, starting with a trio of quality contenders at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday.

Captain West takes his place in Race 3 over 2000m, his first try beyond 1600m, and Mike said: “Captain West is in very good form at home and the extra 400m is the only question mark. He is by One World, who won over 2000m and has produced winners over the distance, so we look forward to see how he goes. If he sees it out, he’s a big runner.”

Graded performer Greaterix returns to racing after a layoff in the evening’s feature, Race 6 over 1400m, alongside the promising Esteemed. Mike commented: “This is a line-up of Grade 3 quality with some hard knockers, so it’s a true, early test for Esteemed. He takes a step up against stronger and goes to 1400m for the first time. We think he is a class act and we have ambitious plans for him, but he has to confirm he has what it takes, in a race like this. Greaterix will need the run.”

Thorn Bird goes to Turffontein on Saturday for Race 2 over 1200m. Mathew de Kock said about this Rafeef filly: “She has improved on her debut and has a good draw for this race on the inside track. It looks competitive, but she could be hard to beat.”

Back at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, the KZN team will saddle Taranaki Nomad and Scott’s Bar in Race 3 over 1600m. While there are no stars in this line-up, the De Kock pair is not fancied and Mike said: “They should be suited to the extra, but they’re not showing us much and we can offer no confidence about their chances.”

Useful sprinter Exocet (Race 5, 1000m) is a runner with fair prospects, though Mike cautioned that he is not an exotic banker. He said: “Exocet comes off a long rest during which he recovered from a cannon bone fracture. He is doing pretty well at home, should run a good race, but he has a few fast rivals around him. Some have claiming apprentices aboard so they may get away from Exocet after his break.”