The Classic Day Pick 6 at Turffontein on Saturday is projected to reach R7 million, with a bumper day of racing on the cards that could determine the destiny of the 2020 SA Triple Crown and SA Triple Tiara.
The R1,5 million Gr1 SA Classic and R1 million Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic head the twelve race Turffontein standside programme that gets under way at 11h55 and is scheduled to start the last at 18h10.
The Pick 6 starts with a tricky small field in the fourth, the Listed Storm Bird Stakes, at 13h35.
The Mike de Kock yard have ten decent runners on the day, headed by Frosted Gold and Marshall in the SA Classic.
In a chat with David Thiselton on www.goldcircle.co.za, Matthew de Kock confirmed that they are both very well. “We are very happy, but they have the Tarry duo to beat.”
Marshall will be the one best suited to this trip on pedigree and running style. This big Vercingetorix gelding is held in high regard but to date that is based mainly on his exceptional homework. Matthew said this horse had his problems and was not straightforward and perhaps that was the reason he was yet to bring his homework to the course to its full extent. However, if he does put his best foot forward he will be a big runner.
Matthew said Frosted Gold was a genuine horse who was loaded with ability and always tried his hardest. He has hardly put a foot wrong. He agreed this New Zealand-bred by All Too Hard had a stamina question mark but was quick to add that Sean Tarry’s stalwarts Shango and Ikigai did too.
Shango, who beat Frosted Gold going away in the Dingaans over a mile, is by sprinter Captain Of All out of a Jet Master mare who won from 1200-1400m. However, he runs as if he will stay further.
Conversely, Ikiga (pictured above), is by Vercingetorix out of an Al Mufti mare who won over 1600m, which suggests he should stay 1800m, but he has a plenty of speed which creates the stamina doubt.
The De Kock yard have an interesting runner in the SA Fillies Classic in Virtuosa.
Matthew said, “She turns it on very quickly and hit the front a long way out in the Fillies Guineas. We will have to ride her very patiently this time.”
She is by Visionaire out of the De Kock-trained Checcetti, who won the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg over 2000m, so on pedigree she should stay the trip although she finished unplaced in her only attempt at 1800m to date
The TAB betting programme:
Race 2 : @ 12h30 – Bipot ONE Leg 1 – Likely pool R300 000.
Race 3 : @ 13h00 – PA Leg 1 – Likely Pool R800 000.
Race 4 : @ 13h35 – PICK 6 MEGAPOOL Leg1-Net Carryover R1,000,000. Est Pool R7 Million.
Race 5 : @ 14h10 – Jackpot ONE Leg 1 – Likely pool R800 000.
Race 6 : @ 14h45 – Pick 3 Leg 1 – R100 000 carryover – Likely pool R300 000.
Race 7 : @ 15h20 – Trifecta – R100 000 Carryover, Likely pool R400 000.
Race 7: @ 15h20 – Bipot TWO Leg 1 Likely pool R170 000.
Race 8 : @ 15h55 – Quartet Maxipool – R500 000 carryover, likely pool R2 000 000.
Race 9 : @ 16h30 – Jackpot TWO Leg 1 – likely pool R500 000.
