Mustaaqeem bids for the Guineas
MUSTAAQEEM, leading two-year-old last season, is among the 23 entries for the R1-million Gauteng Guineas over 1 600m on the Turffontein Standside track on Saturday March 3.
Trainer Mike de Kock has nominated eight horses for the Grade 2 race which is also the first leg of the SA Triple Crown. His other entries are Noble Secret — a winner over this distance at the Vaal on Saturday – Alshibaa, who was runnerup in the same race, Pietro Mascagni, Sir David Baird, Yakeen, Puget Sound and Royal Crusade.
The R500 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, which is the first leg of the R1-million Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, also drew 23 runners.
Mustaaqeem made his seasonal debut over 1 000m at the Vaal last Thursday and could only manage fourth place, although beaten less than a length by Africa Rising. While De Kock said later he felt his charge would stay 1400m it was surprise to find his name among these entries.
However, the blow for De Kock as that their star colt has landed No 23 draw. Most of De Kock’s runners drew poorly except for Puget Sound (No 3) and Royal Crusade (No 1).
Sean Tarry fared no better as his two best entries, Big Bear and Wonderwall, drew No 20 and No 22 respectively. Silver God, however, drew well at No 5.
Monks Hood, winner of the Grade 2 Investec Dingaans in November, had far better luck when he drew No 7. Alistair Gordon’s charge had an impressive winning comeback run at Scottsville on Sunday when he beat Redcarpet Captain by 0.75 lengths in a MR 96 Handicap over 1 400m.
Unbeaten Majestic Mambo from the Paul Peter yard is not too badly placed at No 11 while Alssakhra drew No 16.
However, Peter will not be happy Folk Dance has drawn No 16 in the Fillies Guineas.
Unbeaten Hashtagyolo from the Dean Kannemeyer yard is an interesting entry in the Fillies Guineas. This daughter of Dynasty won the Grade 3 Flamboyant Stakes over 1 600m last time but she is another with a wide draw issue in the Fillies Guineas.
Supplementary entries close at 11am next Monday with declarations closing at 11am on Thursday, February 22.