Test for three-year-olds
December 2021
To paraphrase Mike de Kock, he has told anybody who would listen about the quality of his three-year-olds, not just one or two, but a whole bunch of exceptional performers.
He brings out two of them at Turffontein on Saturday when they race on the Inside track, and while you might not get rich punting them as they are short priced, a small win is always better than a big loss.
It will be interesting to see how they perform, as horses like these could well be dominating our three-year-old features for the next nine months. We have already seen Mount Pleasant give his elders a beating in the Grade 2 Spring Challenge and now Forever Mine will show what he can do in Race 4, a Graduation Plate over 1450m.
De Kock originally had and Al Muthana in the field as well which made life tricky as both were heavily backed on debut over 1160m, both won unchallenged and both had three winners coming out of their respective form lines.
However, Al Muthana was scratched yesterday and now that opens the door for Forever Mine.
Callan Murray takes the ride on the Vercingetorix gelding who runs in the famous Yellow and black silks of Mauritzfontein.
He travels a little further this time around a sharp turn, but he should have no problem with either.
De Kock has another fluent debut winner, Malmoos, in Race 6, an Open Handicap for three-year-olds, also over 1450m. The colt takes on some useful fillies.
The son of Captain Al went off at 5-10 on debut and the result was never in doubt. Apprentice Luke Ferraris rode him on that occasion, and he is back on board today.
Miss Elegance is from the Lucky Houdalakis stable, who has given start in all three starts and would prefer the stiffer outside track. Then there is exciting Tanzanite Queen who recently joined the Alec Laird yard from her previous Cape Town stable.
St John Gray has After Hours who is no slouch and will be looking to produce the upset.
It might be competitive but Malmoos could well be the banker on the card and it should help the pocket just a little bit to take an All To Come with the two De Kock runners.
Jack Milner’s selectiona
Race 1: 1 Miss Venezuela, 2 Lhasa Star, 3Make A Penny, 10 Mauby
Race 2: 11 Stageworld, 9 Midnight Caller, 5 The Gypsy King, 4 Royal Wulff
Race 3: 2 Fast Draw, 1 The Sandwich Man, 3 Fort Love, 6 Royal Siege
Race 4: 4 Forever Mine, 1 Pure State, 2 What You Are, 5 Willow Express
Race 5: 4 Pop Icon, 5 Certifiable, 6 Putins Promise, 8 Wild N Grey
Race 6: 3 Malmoos, 1 Miss Elegance, 2 Tanzanite Queen, 4 After Hours
Race 7: 4 Winter Stories, 7 Visiway, 8 Spanish Boy, 1 Battleoftrafalgar
Race 8: 8 Break The Silence, 1 Copper Mountain, 2 Campa, 4 Silver Master
Race 9: 8 Muleta, 1 Greens, 9 Cream Soda, 4 The Fifth Wave
BEST BET
Race 6 No 3 Malmoos
VALUE BET
Race 9 No 8 Muleta
BEST SWINGER
Race 8 1×8
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 5, 9, 11
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 4, 5, 6, 8
Leg 5: 3
Leg 6: 1, 4, 7, 8
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3
Leg 2: 4
Leg 3: 4, 5, 6
Leg 4: 3
Leg 5: 4, 7, 8
Leg 6: 1, 8
Leg 7: 1, 8, 9
PICK 6
R960
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 8
Leg 6: 1, 4, 8, 9, 10
JACKPOT 1
R192
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 8
JACKPOT 2
R120
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 8
Leg 4: 1, 4, 8, 9, 10