Saturday, Sunday runner comments

Here are comments from Mike and Mathew de Kock for racing on Saturday at Turffontein and Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The Lucky Fish ambassadors saddle 11 runners across the two meetings.

Turffontein, 10 October:

Race 1, 1450m: “Blunderbore has made significant improvement on his 1200m debut, and he’s well drawn. He’s going to improve more with this run and tackles the bend for the first time, but from what we’re seeing at home he has a strong eachway chance. We’re putting blinkers on Handsome Badger, hoping that he can show improvement.”

Race 3, 1600m: “Great Rift Valley hasn’t raced since March. We gave him a nice break over winter and gelded him. He needs further still on pedigree, but from his inside gate could be competitive off his natural level of ability. He should be most effective when he goes to 2000m and further.”

Race 5, 1200m: “Three runners here starting with Trombolines, who is not well weighted on Graduation terms, but he is very fit and well and in good form. He ran in a middle stakes last time and didn’t get a penalty for his close second, so probably has a few points in hand. Those are factors that count. He has a fighting chance.  Yippee Kiyay  is the class horse of the bunch. He will need it and has a wide draw, but we’re happy with his progress and he could finish in the money if he doesn’t get too tired. We’re not sure what Good Day Sunshine’s best distance will be. This is her first start on the bend and we want to see if she switches off with a view to trying her over 1400m. She’s very well and should give a good account.  No preference really - we look forward see how they shape against each other. A hard call to make.

Race 6, 1600m: “Aladdin’s Lamp is having his comeback run. He is prepping for the  Betway Summer Cup. He will run here and then go for the Charity Mile or the Victory Moon, into the Summer Cup. We don’t expect to win this, he has a wide draw and will improve for the run.”

Race 8, 1800m: The handicapper is on trial with One Eye On Dubai, who received a high rating out of his Maiden. He could be equal to that rating, but only time will tell and we’d  like the opportunity to give him a chance to get there. It looks like we have found the right race and most of his rivals don’t seem at the top of their game. Hopefully he gets things to go his way and can put his best foot forward. But he is not a banker in his first handicap following his Maiden win. It will be safer to include a few others in the exotics with him.”

Hollywoodbets Greyville, Sunday 11 October:

Race 1, 1400m: “Sensei Of Spin  will improve over this trip. He needs another run before he is at his peak, and the further he goes the better he will get.”

Race 7, 1900m: “Curious Girl returns from her break in the Michaelmas Handicap. She has grown, put on weight and is in a good place. We are very happy with her, but she has a tough task in feature company after a rest.

Race 8, 1400m: “Whispering Death comes off throat surgery. He is very capable, but breathing has been a major issue for him and we’d just like to see him run a fair race after his rest.”