Multiple champion trainer Mike de Kock will be a witness at Monday’s Inquiry into Andrew Fortune’s riding of the filly Cherry Oh Baby, who was beaten after drifting in the betting in the opening race on the revamped Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack on 7 May.
“Knowing the filly as well as I do, I was perfectly happy with Andrew Fortune’s ride on Cherry Oh Baby,” Mike de Kock told the Sporting Post in a short statement issued on Friday morning in response to our enquiry.
While the conditioner would not be drawn into further comment in view of the pending proceedings, his presence at the Durban Inquiry must indicate a level of support for the veteran jockey.
Trainer Mike de Kock – an impressive career tally (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
After drifting from 3-10 to 11-10, Cherry Oh Baby, who is raced by Jessica Slack’s Mauritzfontein Stud, tracked the leader before cruising into the lead at the 300m marker.
She was beaten 0,20 lengths by Long Street who was having her 19th start.
The Stipes reported:
- Shortly before the finish CHERRY OH BABY (A Fortune) was carried in marginally by LONG STREET (*M Mbuto) which hung in and shifted in from the 250m.
- An Inquiry will be opened into Jockey A Fortune’s ride on CHERRY OH BABY in the straight.
- The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine CHERRY OH BABY.
- An investigation into betting patterns, both locally and internationally on this race has been opened. The investigation will include scrutiny of betting exchange activity on various platforms.
Cherry Oh Baby subsequently ran a modest third over a mile, and then reverted to the 1400m and beat a moderate field when fitted with the blinkers at her last start on 11 June.
Andrew Fortune’s signature motionless style in the saddle has not differed in his 40 years of riding, and that must also surely count in his favour as the Board review the ride and the evidence before them.
Fortune told thye Sporting Post that he preferred not to comment ahead of the Inquiry, but we note his comments made in a recent In The Box Seat podcast.
This is what Andrew Fortune said about the Cherry Oh Baby ride:
One of South Africa’s greatest riders of all time, Piere Strydom commented on social media that Andrew Fortune gave it (Cherry Oh Baby) the best possible ride, and tried to hold her up as long as possible.
“It’s been beaten before by riding it differently. Unfortunately those that have never ridden a horse or in a race wouldn’t understand those things,” concluded Striker.
