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Lucky Fish ambassadors Mike and Mathew de Kock are racing three-year-old Councillor in the Listed Hawwaam Stakes over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday, bypassing the Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial, which would have been an easier pick against her own sex.
“The Oaks Trial is not a black type race, so we opted for the Listed contest with Councillor and hopefully she can earn some black type here. She has a lightweight over the testing distance, seems in good form after her win last week. If this back-up doesn’t come to soon, she’ll have a good eachway chance,” said Mat de Kock.
Curious Girl and Special Star will fly the flag in the Oaks Trial and they, too, are likely to be competitive. “Curious Girl has come up from Durban. She’s done nothing wrong. Every time she steps onto the racecourse we’ve learnt more about her capabilities. She’s risen to every task we’ve given her. Here we have another step up and it will be interesting to see how she lines up with the rest of these staying fillies.
“Special Star is more or less in the same mould as Curious Girl and should enjoy the trip. Her wide gate is unfortunate but we’d also like to see where we stand with her. She could run a decent race.”
Miami Mountain’s half-sister, Good Day Sunshine (Vercingetorix), debuts for Devin Heffer and Craig Kieswetter in Race 1 over 1000m. Mat said she is much the same as her sibling. “She seems to always finish her work off strongly, so the 1000m will be a bit sharp for her. But she will be doing good work late, so if she’s not to green and doesn’t get too detached she’ll have eachway prospects.”
The Murugasa family’s Floral Fury (Querari) steps out for her first run in Race 3 over 1000m. Mat said: “She is showing us some ability. The 1000m is on the sharp side for her, too, but she has a Top 3 or 4 chance and will improve with this run.”
Sosoru runs for the same ownership in Race 4 over 1000m. “He was gelded after his debut run. He is showing lots of speed and doing very well at home, has a winning chance.”
Leading three-year-old Miami Mountain will be bidding to make it five wins from eight starts in Race 9 over 1400m, and has his stablemate Greaterix as back-up.
“Miami Mountain has had one previous attempt at 1400m which was in the Graham Beck Stakes where he was bumped at the start and the race shape didn’t work out for him. We’re having another crack at it, because from the way he wins his sprints one would think he’d love the extra. If he can do what we believe he can do, it will open up a lot of doors for us going forward.
“Greaterix is a talented horse, but he hasn’t won for a long time and we’re not sure if that is going to change. He is in good form at home and has a nice inside draw which could give him a good early position. Let’s hope he can put his best foot forward. He’ll be competitive if he does.”
Greek Heritage (Rafeef), an own sister to Listed 1800m winner Aristotle, makes her first racetrack appearance in Race 1 over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. “She is showing good quality work, but is bred for much further. There are a number of unknown quantities in the race, but ours must have a good place chance on what we’ve seen at home. She is one to follow.”
The grey Next Of Kin is next up, Race 6 over 1600m. He reunites with Sean Veale, who rode him to his only win, last September. “He has a tendency of pulling. If he settles well, he should run an improved race.”
Tyrconnell looks like a strong contender in the same race. “He is in good form, running very well. He is overdue, and we’re hoping he can get his fourth career win here. Good chance.”
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