De Kock dominates Cup betting
A quartet of horses from the stable of master trainer Mike de Kock are at the top of bookmakers’ ante-post betting boards for the Summer Cup. First entries for Joburg’s biggest race were announced last week.
Durban July champion and third-placed Sparkling Water and Safe Passage, respectively, are joint favourites at 4/1. The R2-million contest at Turffontein is more than two months away.
Another two De Kock horses are next in line at 12/1 – MK’s Pride and Aragosta.
The former, a recent acquisition from the Paul Peter yard, following the reigning champion trainer’s shock retirement from the game, is a nine-time winner but he has not won over further than 1 600m.
The bookies’ assessment of his chances seems to have more to do with respect for De Kock than any material evidence.
Aragosta, by contrast, has no stamina doubts, having won the SA Derby over 2 450m at Turffontein in April.
Sean Tarry-trained Rain in Holland is also at 12-1. That looks an enticing offer with the star filly having landed the 2022 Triple Tiara at Turffontein. That included glory in both the 1 800m SA Fillies Classic and the 2 450 SA Oaks – not to mention a subsequent bloodless victory in the 2 000m Gerald Rosenberg Stakes.
Of the three so-called “major” races, the Summer Cup has been the one for upset results – and long shots to consider include Argentinian import Puerto Manzano, Hoedspruit and Red Saxon.
The betting: 4/1 Safe Passage, Sparkling Water; 12/1 MK’s Pride, Aragosta, Rain in Holland; 15/1 Shangani; 16/1 Nebraas; 18/1 William Robertson, Puerto Manzano; 20/1 Hoedspruit; 25/1 Majestic Mozart, Red Saxon, Perfect Witness; 28/1 Bingwa, Second Base, Pamushana’s Pride, Sovereign Spirit; 30/1 and upwards others.