A number of horses trained in KwaZulu-Natal were put through their paces on the refurbished Polytrack at
HWB Greyville earlier this week and the reports were good. There is less kickback and horses appear to be striding out well on the new surface.
“The new polytrack is exciting because it presents us with extra racing options,” said Mathew de Kock ahead of next Wednesday’s first meeting back on the Poly.
Before that, the stable has six good runners entered for the turf meeting at HWB Greyville on Saturday. With six winners this last week, Mike and Mathew are hoping to increase their tally. After just three months of the partnership, M&M are 21
st on the National Trainers’ Log with 22 winners at a strike rate of 16.5%, which is something to be proud of.
The first Saturday runner is
The Abdicator, who has been entered for the annual WSB Betting Dash over the novel 400m. Mat said: “He has his first run for the stable and is being prepared for feature sprints later this season. The form book is not always reliable for this kind of race. He is doing well in his work, but anything can happen here. Eachway chance.”
Kim Kay (by Futura) makes her debut in Race 3 over 1200m and Mat has worries about her 11/11 draw. “If she was drawn better, I would have been more confident, but she has to come from the widest gate, first-up, so we’ll be happy with a place.”
Destiny Of Fire takes her place in Race 4, the Listed East Coast Cup over 2000m. “She is well, and if she stays 2000m, she’ll be involved in the finish,” said Mat.
There are a number of stakes winners in Race 6, the Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas. The stable has good representation with
Oxalis Gold and
Spumante Dolce, who are both in with chances. “Both have had good preps into this race. Spumante Dolce is perhaps the classier of the two, but she has a sticky draw and that’s a concern. Oxalis Gold has the better draw and the same jockey as last time when she won the Byerley Turk, and she’s no slouch herself. I’m not going to pick between them, include both.”
Khetiwe’s Destiny lines up in Race 8 over 1200m. Unfortunately she, too, will have to come from the widest of draws. “She’s a really nice filly and if it wasn’t for her draw, I would’ve made her our best runner for the day. It’s hard from that gate, but we’ll cross fingers she’s good enough.”
Cherry Oh Baby is the yard’s first runner on the new Polytrack, Wednesday, and she could be the first winner on the new surface because the factors are in her favour – a good draw, well-franked form and the first-time services of Andrew Fortune. “She’s had a little rest, her work is good, she has a good chance,” said Mat.
Kadizora and
Flying Hafla have not inspired much confidence of late – they’re having another try in Race 3 over 1800m, probably not beyond their capabilities but not easy to predict how they’ll go. “Let’s see if the switch to the Polytrack makes a difference,” said Mat.
Versatile
Trois Trois Quatre is back to 2000m in Race 5 and Mat assessed: “He is in good form and knocking at the door and we’re expecting a competitive showing. He should be in the thick of things.”
The day concludes with
Bristol Hercules and
Shoefella in Race 6 over 1600m. The pair were in the same race last week and caught the eye, needing it. “We’re quite confident of big runs from both of them, they have the inside draws to help. Perhaps a marginal preference for Bristol Hercules, but I think both should be included as their work is very good, they’re making good progress.”
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