Runner comments, Thursday to Saturday

Mike and Mathew de Kock have a busy few days ahead – the Lucky Fish ambassadors will be saddling a host of runners across the next three meetings, and a number of them are set to go close.

Mathew’s comments are below:

Vaal, Thursday 1 October:

Race 1, 1200m: “Princess Dior (Master Of My Fate) makes her debut. She is out of Evening Bell, who was at best over 1600m and up.  She has been showing some decent work, wants further but can run into the Quartet if she’s not too green. Vision Of Gold comes from a good formline. She is doing well in her work and has benefitted from the experience of a run. She makes a little noise so we’re fitting her with a tongue-tie, which has worked at home. She has a strong eachway chance.”

Race 2, 1200m: “King’s Mountain (Vercingetorix) is showing us top work at home. As first-timers go, he is a bit underdone as we like to give our newcomers a few gallops and trial which we haven’t been able to do with the grass unavailable at Randjesfontein. But on his track work ability he has a winning chance, I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t run well.”

Race 3, 1200m: “Staggerwing comes off a short rest into a very strong field, she is not at peak fitness. She is decent, has a good turn of foot, but will improve with this run.”

Race 6, 1500m: “Big Unit disappointed us in his first run for the stable. I saw he had a good previous run up the straight and he’s given us an indication in work that he would enjoy the straight racing. So we’ve elected to come here against a strong field, but he’ll be ridden more positively – we’ll bounce him out and put him on speed, hopefully he can stay on. We’re hoping for a turnaround.”

Race 7, 1600m: “Feast Of Berries should run a nice race for us here.  She’s done well over the winter and her work is good. The straight mile was not our first option after her rest, but if she can relax in the race, she’ll be involved. She has good eachway claims.”

Hollywoodbets Greyville, Friday 2 October:

Race 1, 1200m: “Meghan’s Diamond is raiding and will stay on at Summerveld for a few races. She ran well in blinkers last time. She’s crying for the bend and she’s not drawn well, but it is what it is and we’ll take our chances. If she doesn’t go close here, she’ll be one to follow in KZN in her next few starts.”

Race 5, 1400m: “Greaterix put up an eye-catching run after a long rest on his comeback in August. He’s made good natural improvement. Off his high mark it is hard to find a soft option so he’s in a tough race here, but if he finds a good spot in the running, he should be competitive from a good draw, and with the 4kg claimer on board. Include him.”

Race 6, 1000m:  “Here we have Tuscan Romance who will be having her first run for the stable after a long rest. She’s been working very well, and if she doesn’t need it too much she can be in the money. Worth including in your play.”

Race 9, 1200m: “Angel’s Oasis is another filly that will raid from Joburg and stay down in  Durban awhile. She’s been racing quite well and we’re also trying her on the bend, like Meghan’s Diamond. She is against male runners, but can be competitive off a handy weight and from a nice draw.”

Turffontein, Saturday:

Race 1, 1450m: “Three runners to start the day. Fire At Will looks a fair sort, he is going to be green on debut and needs a lot further. Razzpath Rebel has an obvious chance, he’s found two 1200m races a bit sharp and this will suit. He is a big runner.  Shabeen Queen will need the run, we’d like to see her run on, one to watch in her next start.”

Race 2, 1450m: “Penny’s Choice stepped up in distance for a good run last time. She’s had two weeks between runs, no reason why she won’t make her presence felt again. Eachway prospects.”

Race 3, 2600m: “We’ve always thought of Top Floor as a horse who will develop into a stayer. We gave him two runs over a mile, he needed both. He jumps way up in distance, but there shouldn’t be a reason for concern, he looks an out-and-out stayer.  It would have been better to go into a 2000m first, but the programme didn’t allow for that. We’re pretty hopeful of a competitive run.”

Race 4, 1800m: “Corrupt is having a prep run for the forthcoming stayers’ features, including the Java Stakes. Dawson’s Anvil ran an excellent race after a break over a trip too short for him. He came out of that race well. We are quite excited to see how he goes over 1800m and he is a big runner.”

Race 5, 1600m: “Duke Of Lorraine has done really well over winter and his work is solid. He has improved from a young horse to now. He should be competitive. Trojan Horse is in a similar vein, a nice sort coming to hand. Both will be better on the outside track, but they can run into the money here so it’s best to include both.”

Race 6, 1450m: “Destiny Of Fire will just need the run and she’s drawn in the bush. Flower Island is a big runner, she done very well during winter and is impressive in her work. Could fight it out off a handy weight, and her inside draw is a plus.”

Race 7, 1450m: “I’m A Fireball lines up in a powerful field, but we’re very happy with this fellow. We loved his course and distance run when he had a tongue-tie on last time and is in good nick. He has to take a step up again, but is well-placed to do so with fitness on his side. We’re hoping he can be right up there at the business end.”

Race 8, 1200m: “Bristol Hercules is popping at home, he is very well. I’m not sure how he will go over 1200m, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he runs them down late. Sosoru should enjoy the soft gate on the inside track. He is also in good form after his rest and hopefully he can dictate the race and keep them all at bay. Hoping for a nice run.”