High Definition is finally a Free Agent
Soqrat to run in the Queen’s Plate
Trainer Mike de Kock surpassed legendary trainer Terrance Millard’s record of 117 Grade 1 winners at Kenilworth on Saturday when Soqrat won the Cape Guineas, winning by 1.25 lengths and affording De Kock the opportunity to go one clear of Millard.
“As we stand I think we will probably stay in Cape Town and maybe look at running him in the Queen’s Plate,” confirmed assistant trainer Mathew de Kock. “But we will obviously be guided by how he (Soqrat) comes through the race and takes the next couple of weeks.” Formerly undefeated in five appearances, One World went off as the 1-1 favourite and was perfectly positioned in second place behind pacemaker Twist Of Fate passing the 500m marker, with Soqrat stalking them in third.
At the 300m it became very clear the favourite was struggling to keep up with the top two under an animated Anton Marcus and was forced to settle for third. Twist Of Fate tried to put up a fight but Soqrat was far too good on the day.
Jockey Ryan Munger has been riding like a man possessed this season, registering victories all over the country and this work ethic sees the youngster sitting third on the national jockeys’ log with 71 winners.
The 23-year-old has booked eight rides at Fairview today, all for the illustrious Yvette Bremner yard, and he could creep a lot closer to log leader Muzi Yeni (85 winners) courtesy of three runners that make for a great TAB All-To-Come bet to take. The suggested multiple will include a place on Mangrove in the second, a win on Pick 6 banker High Definition in Race 6 and a place on Scribo in Race 7.
You can put a line through Mangrove’s last two runs when running unplaced on the turf, simply because his form clearly indicates he is most lethal on the Polytrack. Prior to those efforts, this fiveyear-old son of Ideal World was on an impressive four-run winning streak on the surface.
If he can reproduce anything close to those performances, Mangrove will be very hard to beat in Race 2, a MR 87 Divided Handicap over 2000m.
The only chink in this gelding’s armour is the fact he shoulders 61kg. That is 1.5kg more than his main danger Free Agent who also finished 4.50 lengths ahead of Bremner’s charge in their last encounter. Perhaps going the boxed Swinger and Exacta route featuring the pair could pay decently or maybe float them with the field in your Quartet.
Following two unlucky defeats, beaten 0.10 lengths into second both times, High Definition’s consistency was finally rewarded in his most recent start, outclassing Scribo by four lengths over 1300m. This speedy son of Trippi has the best form in the field, but will have to carry 60.5kg, 5.5kg more than last time, which looks to be his only disadvantage. Should this five-year-old be victorious, ensure you back Scribo when he runs in Race 7, a MR 72 Handicap over 1300m.