Multiple SA champion trainer Mike de Kock saddled Enaad to a thrilling Gold Cup victory on Sunday on the SA Champions Season stage. He demonstrates his extraordinary versatility as he travels North to the humbler climes of Kimberley just six days later to saddle the Brazillian product Toro Rosso in the R200 000 RA Flamingo Mile today.
Toro Rosso can defy top weight
De Kock has travelled to all corners of the globe in his quest to win races big and small, and while he will only saddle one on Saturday, the presence of an MDK runner in the non black-type feature will add plenty of glamour to the Diamond City’s biggest race day of the year.
Past Success
Visiting horses have a fair record in the race with the never-say-die Uncle Tommy winning it in 2013 and Caryl’s Law in 2012. De Kock’s Capricorn Ridge ran third behind former Cape horse Stone Pine last year.
Callan Murray – in top form
Recently crowned SA champion apprentice Callan Murray takes the ride on the Elusive Quality entire, Toro Rosso, who has been set a welter impost of 62kgs. That will mean a fair amount of dead weight to be lumped – and while opinions differ on the pros and cons, there are many who argue that this is not a negative factor.
Toro Rosso may not have qualified to stand as a stallion at this stage of the game, but is clearly the class horse and has run some very decent races on the Vaal sand. He was placed fourth behind Deputy Jud in the 2015 Gr2 Supreme Cup.
The son of Elusive Quality looked to be a horse going places early on, winning 4 of his 7 starts by an aggregate of 20 lengths.
He came back to form when ridden by the young Murray last time on the Vaal 1400m turf when disposing of Kings Archer easily in an MR 91 Handicap.
This will be his first run on the Flamingo sand.
Local Hopes
There are a few decent local challengers, who will enjoy the added advantage of experience.
Kent Rock has solid ability
The well drawn course and distance winner Kent Rock catches the eye.
The son of Right Approach has been rested 9 weeks since a fast finishing second to Jaguar over 1400m.
He was beaten a short head by Jaguar and now meets him on 4kgs better terms – so if fit and ready should go close.
Good Form
Stef Miller also saddles recent ‘import’ Doctorow.
The Trippi gelding, formerly with Dean Kannemeyer in Cape Town, has had two good runs in Kimberley and won his last, beating Quid Rides over Saturday’s track and trip.
The title chasing Andrew Fortune is aboard Jaguar for Corrie Lensley.
We have already indicated that he has a big task on his hands, but the master Fortune is worth a few lengths.
Visitor
Stone Pine won the race last year and is in bright form after having won his last start.
Stone Pine – won the race last year
He is very effective over the course and distance and will strip a fit horse, having won just three weeks ago.
Spike Lerena travels from Gauteng with the Casey Tibbs gelding Cumberland, who looks a runner if adapting to local conditions.
He has won on the sand and showed good pace against fair opposition before beaten into second by Like A Boss over the Turffontein 1400m.
Cliffie Miller’s evergreen Kingofmountain ran fourth in this event last year and has shown a welcome return to form in his last four runs – all over Saturday’s course and distance.
Kingofmountain – in form
His wide draw is a deterrent but he is a horse who can be dropped in – and has a handy galloping weight to carry.
Only Human
Trainer Bill Human has three in the race.
The Australian-bred Triumvirate may be the best of the trio and steps up to a mile with a good draw and a handy galloping weight.
La Tourelle enjoys a nice swing at the weights with Stone Pine after being beaten 5,25 over 200m shorter last time. His earlier form was not impressive.
Yesan Star is drawn on the wide outside and seems best at 200m less than what he tries on Saturday.
Duncan Mckenzie’s Big Shot has his first run in Kimberley and has fairly ordinary form.
Candice Dawson saddles her first Flamingo runner with the former Ramsden charge Sundari.
The son of Fort Wood is an unknown quantity but has no recent spark to suggest any fire on Saturday.
The same applies to Lavendar Landscape who ran a shocker last time.
Toro Rosso looks the right one and despite his topweight, could be superior to this lot. He looks to have enough ability to get the season under way in style.
He is the choice to beat Kent Rock and Cumberland. It is a nice card and decent payouts look to be on the cards.
