It will be a case of The Rest vs Mike de Kock in the Listed Java Handicap over 2450m at Turffontein on Tuesday night.
Photo by Gold Circle
De Kock saddles five of the 11 runners but the class of the race could lie with Ormond Ferraris' Magical and Sean Tarry's Kolkata, and the latter could hold the key to this race.
The four-year-old son of Requiem completed his last campaign in style when finishing a 0.50-length second behind stable companion Aslan in the Grade 1 Canon Gold Cup at long odds and in the process proved he was a stayer to note. That race was run in heavy going and he stayed on well in the conditions.
The handicappers penalised him 4kg, which seemed reasonable enough, and he showed in his comeback over 1450m at Clairwood – when finishing 4.50 lengths behind Ice Axe – that he remained competitive, despite the weight increase.
Kolkata next contested the Listed Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m at Greyville. Once again the distance was probably a touch short but Kolkata gave plenty of cheek to finish a neck second to Storm Sagaz.
This 2450m is more his game and with just 54kg to shoulder and in-form Robbie Fradd in the irons, he looks the runner they all have to beat.
Even De Kock is uncertain about which of his runners is the right one, but he is leaning towards Atyeb.
The Australian-bred runner has had his share of problems and De Kock is not sure how many runs are left in the tank. Atyeb had his first run after more than a year off the track over 2000m at Turffontein on Tuesday last week and was beaten two short heads into third behind S'il Vous Plait and Eastern Cobbler.
“On paper he is 5kg under sufferance but I believe he is better than his current rating,” said De Kock. “I also believe that he will be a lot better over this sort of distance. However, it's very hard to pick who will be the right one.
“Gorongosa has won her last four very easily in Durban so she's done nothing wrong and Dunraven looks to be a decent little stayer.”
It is interesting to note that stable jockey Anthony Delpech has chosen Dunraven but even he admits to being unsure as to whether he is on the right one. “I chose Dunraven because he has the ability to quicken. Atyeb is very talented but he is more of a strong galloper.”
Ilsanpietro, who is a proven stayer, and Boylan Blaze are the two other runners from the De Kock yard. Ilsanpietro has not run since finishing a 1.50-length fourth in the Gold Cup and has 60.5kg to shoulder. He won this race last year but carried just 52kg on that occasion.
Magical has twice raced over this course and distance. The first occasion was his maiden victory in a work-riders' race, which he won by 8.25 lengths. The second was in the 2009 Grade 1 SA Derby where
he ran on late for a one-length second to Bouquet-Garni.Marthinus Mienie gets the ride on the six-year-old Labeeb gelding, who is carded to carry 61.5kg.
Ferraris also sends out Ice Flag who is a talented stayer but seems to need even further than 2450m, although he has won over the track and trip – beating SA Derby winner Seal in the process.The four-year-old son of Classic Flag showed good pace in his comeback run over 2200m on the inside track and should be considerably fitter this time. Derreck David gets the ride and they carry just 52kg.
