Described early on in his career as a ‘proper horse’ by trainer Mike de Kock, the 3yo Immediate Edge leap-frogged his way into the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July picture with an emphatic victory in the R250 000 4Racing Gr3 Jubilee Stakes at Turffontein on Sunday, to give Kabelo Matsunyane his third winner of the afternoon.
Kabelo Matsunyane steers Immediate Edge to a smart victory (Pic – JC Photos)
A winner of his first three starts, which culminated in the Listed Hawwaam Stakes in March, Immediate Edge shoved his flag in the faces of the big race panel with a smooth victory when slamming his ten opponents under his galloping 52kgs.
“He didn’t make the log it’s unbelievable. I don’t know how you leave horses like this out of the Hollywoodbets Durban July,” quipped Mike de Kock after the son of Vercingetorix had drawn clear at 9-10 to beat fellow Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, the low-flying Olivia’s Way (6-1), by 2,50 lengths in a time of 110,83 secs for the 1800m.
Carrying joint top weight, Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch (25-1) stayed on smartly for third, a further 0,30 lengths back.
The top trio are all entries for Africa’s greatest race on 5 July.
Of the balance of the big race entries, Navajo Nation set the pace and faded late to 3,15 lengths off the winner. Musical Score looked dangerous late but had nothing to come and was a further 0,20 lengths back. Son Of Raj was 3,75 lengths off the winner, while Infinite Wonder (8,95 lengths) and Let’s Go Now (12,95 lengths) are probably out of the picture.
The late scratching of import The Equator on grounds of raised TCO2 levels has also dashed the son of Galileo’s prospects of lining up for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
A son of Vercingetorix, Immediate Edge was bred by Shadwell Stud from the Commands mare Anhaar, who is a sister to multiple Gr1 winner and sire, Soqrat, who was also trained by Mike de Kock.
The winner races for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Al Adiyaat South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs Mary Slack), Chris Haynes and Mike de Kock.
A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase, Immediate Edge has won 4 of his 6 starts with 1 place for stakes of R474 063.
Second declarations for the big one are due on Monday, with the next log due on Tuesday.
