De Kock on a Guineas Crusade
HIGHEST RATED HORSES DRAWN WIDE SO ROYAL CRUSADE AND MARCUS COULD WIN
Dingaans winner Monks Hood looks a major contender.
Draws could well determine the outcome of this year’s R1-million Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein tomorrow. This race is also the first leg of the SA Triple Crown which will pay out a R2-million bonus to any runner who can win the Guineas, The SA Classic over 1800m on 7 April and the SA Derby over 2400m on 5 May.
Unbeaten Majestic Mambo is the 22-10 favourite for the Guineas with Surcharge next best at 4-1. Both are superb thoroughbreds but are drawn Nos 11 and 14 respectively.
Over this course and distance in a 16-horse field, that is not good news for either the owner, trainer or jockey. You have just 200m before you hit the turn and then, if you get too far back, you have to work your way through a barrage of horses if you are to win.
In the case of Surcharge, as good as he is, he has not been blessed with gate speed and that will force Piere Strydom to drop him out and come from behind. Of course, both are capable of winning but they will need luck if they are to do so.
As a result, it might be worth looking elsewhere for the winner and next best look to be Investec Dingaans winner Monks Hood and Mike de Kock-trained Royal Crusade. Monks Hood, along with Surcharge, is the highest rated runner.
He was a game winner of the Dingaans, which was run over this course and distance. He was rested after that race and reappeared in a MR 86 Handicap at Scottsville over 1400m which he won far easier than the official 0.75-length distance may indicate.
He has a top jockey in Anthony Delpech and is fairly well drawn at No 7. “I think he’s improved after winning the Dingaans and we know exactly how he should be ridden,” said trainer Alistair Gordon.
However, the value could lie with Royal Crusade. He has only raced five times for two wins and two places but in his last start finished second to Majestic Mambo. However, there are three factors which could result in him turning around that 2.25-length defeat.
Firstly he is drawn No 1 which is a massive advantage. Secondly he will be wearing blinkers for the first time and word from the stable is that he has improved remarkably since they were fitted.
Finally, he has Anton Marcus in the irons for the first time and he will certainly know how to put the other two factors to best use.
“Royal Crusade has definitely made improvement at home since we started working him in blinkers,” said assistant trainer Mathew de Kock. “Now we just hope he can do it on race day. From draw No 1 he has to be a big runner. The good thing about him is that he’ll go all three Triple Crown distances.”
Majestic Mambo has only raced three times, all of which were over 1800m, and coming back in distance could also impact on his chances, a view which is also expressed by trainer Paul Peter. “I’m not worried about the wide No 11 draw, to be honest. He can come from off the pace and he has proven that he has a good turn of foot,” said Peter.
“I’m scared of all these runners, but not because my horse has no ability. Only because the trip could be short and he is looking to go further. I think he will even stay 2400m. Should he win this leg I’ll be confident he can win the Triple Crown.”
Surcharge and Majestic Mambo will be meeting for the first time with both trainers ready to shout the virtues of their runners from the rooftops.
Who is better the race will tell but fortune could decide their fate in this race.