De Kocks send out a fierce competitor

Jack Milner

Racing remains on the Inside track and Turffontein on Saturday and bettors look set for a highly lucrative meeting.

However, one word of warning – there has been some rain, and the track could be a little on the soft side.

Nevertheless, there are some respectable betting opportunities for racing enthusiasts and possibly the best of these comes up in Race 5, a MR 86 Handicap over 1000m, where Mike and Mathew de Kock send out Fierceness. This recently turned three-year-old has only raced twice, running out a very easy winner on debut over 1000m on the Vaal Classic course and then finishing a five-length second behind Gimme Some Luck over 1160m on the Standside track at Turffontein.

That winner is certainly no slouch. Joe Soma’s charge won his first three races with ease and then went off bookmakers’ favourite for the Grade 2 World Pool Bet With The Tote Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Unfortunately, No 11 draw over that course and distance is not easy to overcome so he still did well to finish a 3.50-length fifth.

But, returning to Fierceness, he did have excuses that day as he was still very immature. He does have a tough task this time as he will be racing around the turn for the first time and is taking on older horses for the first time. But this son of Hawwaam, who is related to the likes of Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water, does have a touch of class about him and returning to 1000m this time should work strongly in his favour.

In addition, he returns from a short break in which he was gelded, a fact which his jockey, Muzi Yeni, believes will work strongly in his favour. Fierceness is well enough drawn in gate No 4 and carries 55.5kg.

In a recent interview, Mathew de Kock commented that the strength of their stable right now lies in their talented youngsters and Fierceness could be one of those capable enough to make his mark in some upcoming feature races.