Who Scared The Opposition Away?

De Kock could have a power hand

The Gr1 Daily News 2000 to be run at Greyville on Saturday 1 June has attracted a high quality entry of only eight 3yo’s.

The De Kock star Hawwaam (Pic – JC Photos)

The prestigious feature looks likely to be dominated by Mike de Kock, who last won the race in 2013 with present day exciting sire Vercingetorix, and who holds three of the eight tickets.

The De Kock pair of recent Premier’s Champions Challenge runaway winner Hawwaam and Horse Chestnut Stakes victor Soqrat head the tables off a 121 rating.

Next is Joey Ramsden’s recent KRA Guineas winner Twist Of Fate, who could relish the 2000m at Greyville.

While the presence of the power players is thought to have frightened off much of the opposition, it has also been suggested that the recent relaxation of the handicapping guidelines by the NHA has left owners of the more modestly rated horses fearful of risking a possible once off ‘out-of-the-skin’ effort that could see them lumbered with a premium rating.

R2 000 000 2000m (Turf)
DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1)
0 Atyaab (AUS) Mike de Kock 104
0 Bunker Hunt Justin Snaith 112
0 Charles Brett Crawford 104
0 Hawwaam Mike de Kock 121
0 Soqrat (AUS) Mike de Kock 121
0 Thanksgiving Duncan Howells 106
0 Twist Of Fate Joey Ramsden 117
0 Zillzaal Sean Tarry 105
(8)

The fairer sex equivalent has attracted an entry of twelve, with Cape challengers Front And Centre and recent KRA Fillies Guineas winner Santa Clara joint top-rated on 112.

Cape Fillies Guineas winner Front And Centre (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)

Sean Tarry’s SA Oaks winner Return Flight, who is in the form of her life, should be an interesting challenger to the top duo.

R1 000 000 2000m (Turf)
WOOLAVINGTON 2000 (Grade 1)
2 Bize Alec Laird 97
8 Blossom Mike de Kock 103
12 Chitengo Alec Laird 95
3 Count Dubucks Glen Kotzen 79
10 Front And Centre Brett Crawford 112
9 Madonna Justin Snaith 82
5 Princess Irene Brett Crawford 95
1 Return Flight Sean Tarry 109
11 Santa Clara Candice Bass-Robinson 112
6 Seville Orange Lucky Houdalakis 99
7 Silvano’s Pride Justin Snaith 106
4 Snapscan Glen Kotzen 81
(12)

Supplementary entries for both races closes at 11h00 on Friday 24 May.

Declarations are due at 11h00 on Monday 27 May.

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