Derby prep for Marauding Horde
DE KOCK RUNNER ROMPED TO VICTORY IN LISTED HAWWAAM STAKES ʂ Time Fo Orchids to pass handicap tester.
Mike de Kock has had some decent stayers over the years, and he appears to have landed another in Marauding Horde. The son of Vercingetorix began his racing career in December last year when finishing a 1.10-length second behind Presley in a Maiden Plate over 1400m at Turffontein and followed up with another second place over 1600m behind Blackberry Breeze.
De Kock extended the three-year-old to 1800m in his third start and this time, despite shifting around in the straight, Marauding Horde shed his maiden, beating Judgement Day by 0.20 lengths.
From there Marauding Horde went straight into the Listed TAB Hawwaam Stakes, formerly the Derby Trial, over 2000m at Turffontein, this time fitted with blinkers.
The transformation was remarkable as Marauding Horde absolutely routed his opposition to win by 4.25 lengths, leaving a reasonable field of three-year-olds in his wake.
It came as no surprise when the entries for the Grade 1 SA Derby over 2450m closed on Monday to find Marauding Horde’s name among them.
Many of the runners he beat in the Hawwaam Stakes are there as well but so is that of Grade 1 TAB SA Classic and Grade 2 Dingaans champion Purple Pitcher, as well as the horse who beat him on debut, Presley.
Meanwhile, De Kock will be giving his charge one more warm-up race ahead of the SA Derby at Turffontein tomorrow when he will contest Race 6, a MR 80 Handicap over 2000m.
This could well be his toughest test as he is taking on older and more experienced horses and, in all but two cases, will be giving weight to his rivals.
Nonetheless, Marauding Horde should be able to rise to the occasion and defeat the seven opposing runners.
Marco van Rensburg, who rode him for the first time in the Hawwaam Stakes, will take the ride once again.
The main threat could very well come from another three-year-old in To The Rescue.
Sean Tarry’s charge just got up to win his maiden last time over 1800m but that was his first run after having been gelded and he should improve on that effort.
The son of Gimmethegreenlight is also likely to benefit from the additional 200m - and he does receive 4kg from Marauding Horde.
Gavin Lerena takes the ride.
Time Fo Orchids has performed superbly since joining Johan Janse van Vuuren’s yard and after finishing unplaced in her first race, has gone on to notch up a quick treble.
However, all of them were in stakes races in which she was the best weighted filly but this time in Race 5, she will line up in a MR 96 Handicap for fillies and mares in which she will carry top weight of 62kg.
The daughter of Time Thief has won her last three without too much fuss and she should rise to the occasion once again.