Yakeen makes it just in time
MIKE de Kock, who has won the Vodacom Durban July four times, might have a fair hand in this year’s race after his good looking colt Yakeen won the traditional July pointer, the Gr3 Jubilee Handicap, over 1800m at Turffontein yesterday under Muzi Yeni.
Yeni did a fine job in settling the three-year-old Australian-bred colt by Teofilo as he threw his head up for a few strides in the early stages.
Yeni managed to keep him covered behind Fort Ember and he relaxed well in the second quarter of the race. He turned for home in fourth place about three lengths off the pace set by Trading Profit.
Yeni took Yakeen to the inside rail and he stayed on resolutely. The Sean Tarry pair Social Order and Tilbury Fort burst through from midfield to challenge. Tilbury Fort was going particularly well and looked likely to get up, but Yakeen dug down deep and held on by a whisker. Social Order faded in the final stages and was overtaken by Arctica. Romany Prince and Deo Juvente were next best. Yakeen was merit rated only 99 going into the race and carried 53kg, but as it is a traditional July pointer he will come under strong consideration by the final field panelists.
Coral Fever was eliminated by the July final field panelists last year after winning this race and it was likely due to his low merit rating at the time.
However, he has since proved the panelists wrong as he is the highest merit rated horse still standing in this year's race. He might have inadvertently helped Yakeen's cause. Tilbury Fort, merit rated 100, is also a July entry and his recent form will also see him being considered. Social Order is merit rated 106 and has been in good form.
After winning the Kings Cup at Greyville he ran third in the Gr2 Colorado King Stakes over 1800m.
He was a borderline horse on the July log but considering the pressure for a place this year he might have dented his chances with yesterday’s 1,8 length fourth. Deo Juvente is a July entry and would probably have needed to do better, despite his 2,9 length sixth with topweight being a good performance.
Two other July entries Glider Pilot and Fort Ember likely saw their chances of making the July field disappearing with disappointing runs, beaten 4,5 and 21,25 lengths respectively.
One of De Kock’s other two July candidates, Cascapedia, was scratched from the Jubilee with an elevated temperature, but she was high on the log and has likely booked her place. De Kock’s third July entry is Royal Crusade, who finished third in the Gauteng Guineas and fifth in the SA Derby.
The yard might be looking to qualify him at the last gasp saloon in the Gr3 Track And Ball Derby at Scottsville on June 23.