Winning comeback for Dave The King
Jack Milner
Dave The King makes his return to racing at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and many pundits believe it will be a winning comeback for the former Equus Horse Of The Year.
He will line up in Race 5, an A Stakes over 1400m.
The six-year-old-son of Global View, trained by Mike and Mathew de Kock, has not raced since a disappointing effort ion the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in January although a run early he did win the Green Point Stakes over the same course an distance.
However, he does love racing in KwaZulu-Natal where he has produced his best results.
Onec again, he will be aimed at three races this year, the warm-up run on Sunday and the Grade 1 HWB Gold Challenge over 1600m and HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m.
Dave The King has won this race in 2024 and 2025 but it was raced over 1500m. Commenting on their website, www.dekockracing.com, Mike wrote:
“This year’s race has been changed from 1500m to 1400m and we don’t know why. I’m still battling to get my head around the programming in KwaZulu-Natal.
“But Dave The King is very well and fresh, and he goes into the race appearing to be in the same good form as last year.
“I like what I see.
“He is older now, so we cannot say whether he will race with the same zest, but based on what he is showing us at home, we are confident of another good season.”
Dave The King is by far the best weighted runner by at least 3kg so he does have a lot in his favour.
Callan Murray takes the ride.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Vibe Check, 6 Kazenoyoni, 1 Riff Raff Boy, 8 Scott’s Bar
Race 2: 2 Scots Wae Hae, 9 Gimme A Fireball, 7 So Indi, 1 Stronger Together
Race 3: 15 Rags To Riches, 3 Water Hyacinth, 16 Asgardian Queen, 11 California Dreamer
Race 4: 10 Pritti United, 8 Quicksmart, 2 Light The Fire, 4 Mastercrafter
Race 5: 6 Dave The King, 7 Zeitz, 3 King Pelles, 2 Aristocratic
Race 6: 8 Apache Ag, 2 Gimme The Truth, 10 Good Omen, 2 Fire Force
Race 7: 1 Green Glow, 3 Down By The River, 2 Noble City, 10 Officer In Command
Race 8: 4 Taylor’s Version, 6 Hunga Tonga, 2 Silver Salute, 9 Red Taffety
Race 9: 1 Fiery Rose, 4 Tulip Fields, 2 Tladi Mothwana, 6 Dark Matter
Race 10: 1 Celestial Diamond, 11 Call Me Jane, 5 Summer Winter, 13 Arverni Princess
BEST BET
Race 1: 2 Vibe Check
VALUE BET
Race 6: 8 Apache Ag
BEST SWINGER
Race 5 6×7
BIPOT
R72
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 3, 11, 15, 16
Leg 3: 10, 11
Leg 4: 6
Leg 5: 2, 8, 10
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R144
Leg 1: 3, 15, 16
Leg 2: 10, 11
Leg 3: 6
Leg 4: 2, 8
Leg 5: 1, 3
Leg 6: 2, 4, 6
Leg 7: 1, 4
PICK 6
R450
Leg 1: 8, 10, 11
Leg 2: 6
Leg 3: 2, 8, 10
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10
Leg 5: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 4
JACKPOT 1
R75
Leg 1: 6
Leg 2: 2, 8, 10
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9
JACKPOT 2
R250
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10
Leg 2: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9
Leg 3: 1, 4
Leg 4: 1, 5, 9, 11, 13