Sunday’s Grade 1
HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m at HWB Greyville has a star-studded field and presents what is expected to be an exciting showdown to conclude the feature race programme for the 2024/5 racing season.
There are three principal contenders. The Real Prince, fresh off his sensational 2025 HWB Durban July win, faces off against Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King - the champion miler and last year’s winner – and up-and-coming Fire Attack, who beat his elders on weight-for-age terms in the Grade 1 Premiers three months ago and will be a factor if he’s at his best.
Add to the mix Gladatorian, the stalwart from Stuart Ferrie’s stable who ran Dave The King to under half-a-length in the Grade 1 Gold Challenge, and Royal Victory, who always makes his presence felt at top level, and this could turn out to be the best contest of the season.
De Kock Racing reported last week that
Dave The King put up a pleasing gallop at Summerveld and that he was ready to do battle. Mathew de Kock said this Thursday: “Dave The King is in a really good space. We think he has improved from his Gold Challenge run which is quite exciting. We head into the race confident that he can put his best foot forward. We have the July winner and a few others who can mix it with Dave, but we couldn’t be happier with our horse’s well-being and we look forward to him giving his best account.”
Jan Van Goyen lines up in the Grade 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m (Race 5) and here we have another cracking line-up. Mat said: “Jan Van Goyen arrives with three good runs behind him, including two wins, and he’s a very fit horse. We are really happy with his prep and we think he will relish the step up to 1600m. He has a nice draw, he should find a nice position in running. It’s always tough to predict how these improving two-year-olds will compare at this stage of the season, but based on what we’ve seen and the ability Jan Van Goyen has showed us, he should run a competitive race and is a definite for exotics.”
The stable has one runner stepping out for the first time at Turffontein on Saturday. He is
Clever Trevor (Race 1, 1160m) a son of the former stable star Soqrat. Mat opined: “He is showing us good ability at home. He is a little bit coltish in his behaviour so we will watch closely how he behaves on the day. He has certainly shown us enough to run in the first three or four on his debut.
Next Wednesday, there are a further two runners lining up at HWB Scottsville.
Mojo Man is in Race 2 over 1000m and looks set for a decent run. Mat said: “He turned for home too far back at HWB Greyville last time but he made up ground and ran through well. His form does seem to be better around the bend, but there are no suitable races now so we’re back up the straight with 4kg claimer Bongai Makhubo riding. Hopefully Mojo Man can race a bit closer, we think he can be a factor and he warrants inclusion.”
Trois Trois Quatre is back and should run well in Race 6 over 1950m. Mat said: “He ran a great race over a mile last time. He is in good form and must be included in all bets.”
***
Mike de Kock will be inducted into the South African Hall Of Fame at a ceremony to be held during Sunday’s meeting at HWB Greyville.
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