Mike de Kock’s first winner of 2022 looks to be headed to the Cape and will target the R400 000 Gr2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers to be run over 2800m on Met day, 29 January.
Sparkling Water (S’Manga Khumalo) was the top yard’s first winner for 2022 at Turffontein on Saturday, and Clafoutis (Keagan De Melo) followed up, making it a double for the stable and owner/breeder Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud.
Sparkling Water stays on best under Smanga Khumalo (Pic – JC Photos)
Speaking on his website, De Kock said that it’s always nice to train dams and siblings.
Sparkling Water is a 4yo daughter of five times champion South African sire Silvano and is out of the Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge/Gr2 Betting World 1900 winner Espumanti (Dansili).
The veteran trained Espumanti and Berry Blaze, dam of Clafoutis – and the latest pair both have good careers ahead of them.
Mike said of Sparkling Water: “She furnished in her period of rest after the Summer Cup, where she was unlucky from a poor draw. She’s come back stronger, this was an excellent win. It’s the further the better for her, she showed that in the SA Oaks when she and War Of Athena went clear of the others over 2450m.”
Sparkling Water is likely to go next for the stayer’s race at Kenilworth on Met Day. “There aren’t too many options for us, she’s likely to enjoy that.”
Clafoutis is also looking for ground and Mike said: “She’s a nice filly. She had to go fetch a free-running older runner on Saturday whilst giving her weight. And she did so well, that was good to see. She’s an Oaks prospect.”
- Entries for the Gr2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers close at 11h00 on Wednesday 5 January.
- Supplementary Entries can be made up to 11h00 on Friday 14 January.
- Declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 19 January.
