Mathew is cautiously optimistic
The Mike de Kock stable has had three winners from seven runners so far this month and sends six horses into battle at Turffontein today, with assistant trainer Mathew de Kock saying: “They’re all on the right track.”
Half the team bump each other in Race 2 over 1160m, with Quick Glimpse shaping up as the stable elect.
The Fastnet Rock filly was well backed on debut and finished third behind Phillydelphia over 1000m at the Vaal.
“Quick Glimpse is doing well and has got a strong Eachway chance,” said De Kock. “(Before her debut) she was showing us a lot of speed at home but found the 1000m short for her.
"She raced very green, was off the bit the whole way and was blowing quite hard afterwards. She’s made good natural improvement from that.
“Both Hurricane Lass and (first-timer) Saheera will need further. They’ll also need the run a bit and will benefit from the experience.
Next up for the team is Mutawaary in Race 3 over 1160m. A maiden, he is running in a MR 76 Handicap, “not because we don’t believe he is capable of winning a Maiden, but because we want to protect his handy rating”.
Said De Kock: “He’s gained enough experience in the maidens, anyway, and it’ll be interesting to see how he goes off that mark (77). He’s doing good work and I’m hoping he’ll run well. I also give him an Eachway chance.”
Quite a few punters will be tempted to banker recent impressive debut winner Cascapedia, in spite of a wide draw, and De Kock says: “She’s a very nice filly - not the easiest to work with but things are coming together and I believe she has a lot of potential.
“This is a nice starting point for the season and I’m hoping she runs well because then we can start planning a nice programme for her. I’d like to see her win one or two races more to get some confidence and then we’ll consider putting her into a small feature.”
Their day closes with a horse De Kock jun owns a share in, Onamission. She looks highly promising and could be one to follow now she has matured a bit.
“We gave her some time because she was a bit mentally immature last season. She was green and running around in her races. It’s never easy for these young horses, but hopefully she can put her best foot forward. If she can run in the first three or four it would be very promising.”