Fast Starts Pay Dividends For De Kock Team

One of the key race factors Mathew de Kock and Callan Murray have focused on since their return from Australia is the start, where a good break can make the difference between winning and losing, or simply give poorly drawn runners a fair chance of being competitive.

This was evident again at Turffontein on Thursday, 22 October, when Blunderbore (Race 3, 1450m) and Vision Of Gold (Race 4, 1450m) broke smartly from wide gates on the tight inside track, quickly worked their way into contention and went on to win handsomely.

Mat commented: “When I was in Australia this is something I noticed, especially from the Gai Waterhouse runners. She is big on a fast start, as it gives you a free length or two to work with. Callan and I have applied this with the help from our team.”

Diane de Kock and Vivian Nkosi spend extra time with unraced runners, familiarising them with surroundings around and in the pens, and the team in the main yard ensure that good habits are encouraged.

It is worth watching the replays of both races, to see how the two winners bounce from the stalls and Diane said: “Callan is very good at it!”

Blunderbore replay
Vision Of Gold replay

Blunderbore dictated after his snappy start and raced clear to win by five lengths for Hollywood Racing.

Mat said he had a lot of time for the Ridgemont-bred son of Malmoos. “He’s a big, strong and athletic horse who handles his work well.”

Vision Of Gold is a half-sister to See It Again, sired by Gold Standard, and Callan noted that she was happy to set a good pace, and quickened well off that pace. He suggested that she will be at best up to 1400m for now.

Vision Of Gold races for her breeders, Drakenstein Stud, in Gaynor Rupert’s blue-and-white silks.