De Kocks’ momentum to continue

Jack Milner

It might only have been a race for two-year-olds but the excitement generated by the victory of Haute Couture in Saturday’s Grade 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday was as passionate as if the Rafeef colt had just won the Durban July.

Trained by Mike and Mathew de Kock, Haute Couture confirmed that has 10.50 length maiden win at Turffontein was no flash in the pan as he fought all the way to the wire to beat odds-on favourite Rich Man’s World by 0.30 lengths.

Earlier in the day Mathew de Kock said in an interview that the majority of the stable’s strength lay in their two and three-year-olds, and on Tuesday at the Vaal Classic track we will see a few more of them in action.

The first could come up as early as Race 2, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, where they send out Hawwaam colt Fierceness. He is out of Gin Fizz, who is a half-sister to all of HWB Durban July champion Sparkling Water, as well as Champagne Cocktail and Spumante Dolce.

The word is out that this unraced colt is pretty decent and he can get the yard off to a winning start with Muzi Yeni up.

In Race 3, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies, they have Staggerwing, who brings arguably the best juvenile form to the 1000m contest. This daughter of Rafeef returns from an 80-day break after contesting a Listed race for two-year-old fillies and drops back into far calmer waters.

Her form has already hinted that she possesses above-average speed, and the booking of Callan Murray is particularly noteworthy given he has partnered her in all three starts. Familiarity matters with lightly raced juveniles and Murray looks well placed to guide her home.

The De Kock-Murray combination resurfaces strongly in Race 7 with Sosoru, who has quickly developed into one of the card’s more compelling runners. The speedy son of Vercingetorix made all on his handicap debut over 1160m and now chases a hat-trick, despite dropping back to 1000m and rising in grade.

Normally those factors would raise concern, but front-running sprinters in form are dangerous betting propositions at the Vaal, particularly when they secure rhythm early. An eight-point penalty asks a tougher question but Sosoru seems capable of answering it.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Samuel Sharpe, 6 Comic Artist, 2 Heroic Act, 3 Epidaurus

Race 2: 5 Fierceness, 13 Tiger Magic, 2 Buffalo King Cody, 10 Tenareef

Race 3: 9 Staggerwing, 4 Molten Rock, 7 Ruby Whisper, 10 Winter Voice

Race 4: 3 Cartagena, 5 Special Star, 6 Green Machine, 2 Chabal

Race 5: 4 Culturati, 6 Page Boy, 5 Art Nouveau, 2 Golden Warrior

Race 6: 5 Crepuscolo, 2 Northern Kitten, 1 Rock My Boat, 3 Itsnowornever

Race 7: 11 Sosoru, 10 It’s Personal, 7 Lead The Charge, 5 Trajanus

Race 8: 9 Catfish, 10 Taking A Risk, 11 Inafix, 1 Playing Trix

Race 9: 3 Dads Dream, 10 Kotinos, 6 Nkandla Gold, 5 Bell Of Angelus

BEST BET

Race 1: 1 Samuel Sharpe,

VALUE BET

Race 5: 4 Culturati

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 4×9

BIPOT

R120

Leg 1: 5, 13

Leg 2: 9

Leg 3: 3, 5, 6

Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 5

Leg 6: 11

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 9

Leg 2: 3, 5, 6

Leg 3: 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5

Leg 5: 11

Leg 6: 9, 10

Leg 7: 3, 6, 10

PICK 6

R1800

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 11

Leg 5: 9, 10, 11

Leg 6: 3, 5, 6, 10

JACKPOT 1

R90

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 11

Leg 4: 9, 10, 11

JACKPOT 2

R60

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 2: 11

Leg 3: 9, 10, 11

Leg 4: 3, 5, 6, 10