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Eat well, run well
Mike de Kock with Gavin Kenna of Mitavite in Dubai. They supply feed to Grandstand stables. | |
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De Kock talks about July Day runners
MIKE de Kock traditionally has at least a winner on Durban July day. This year's 12-race programme is again highly competitive, but the stable's runners are fit and well and need to be included in your play. More. | |
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Anthony Delpech will be spot-on at 50kg to ride Zirconeum
JOCKEY Anthony Delpech (right), normally 52,5kg, has been “eating well'' all week to get down to 50kg for his Durban July ride, Zirconeum. “I had only liquids on Thursday and on Friday it will be only a light lunch,'' said the jock who last weighed out at 50kg to ride the 2004 July winner Greys Inn for Mike de Kock. “I would have been more confident if we had a better draw, but she's maturing and she's and getting better so we have a chance.'' On the left is assistant trainer Nathan Kotzen, photo taken at Summerveld on Thursday morning. | |
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Archipenko, injured, will miss Saturday's Coral-Eclipse Stakes
IN a setback for the stable, Archipenko has had to be withdrawn from Saturday’s Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, UK.
``Archipenko has a swollen fetlock joint and we’ve really had no option. This is even more aggravating because his preparation for the Eclipse has been great. He was doing excellent work and would have had a winning chance,’’ said Mike de Kock. | |
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Durban July gives huge boost to economy
THE Vodacom Durban July is good for racing, good for Durban, good for the economy. This Saturday's spectacle will again bring thousands of people to KZN. Read more. | |
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Imbongi wins well at Newmarket after a shaky start
IMBONGI strides clear to win the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket. More. | |
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Imbongi is well and has a chance in UK Gr 3
IMBONGI makes his UK debut at Newmarket today in the Citerion Stakes (Group 3), over 1400m. Based on his good Dubai runs and his close sixth place in the Hong Kong Mile he has a chance of beating eight rivals. Read more. | |
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'JJ' is a hero, nothing wrong with his run
MIKE de Kock, back from saddling JJ The Jet Plane in the Golden Jubilee Sprint at Royal Ascot, reflects on a few interesting weeks in the United Kingdom. More. | |
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Well-bred Laverna wins a good race at her second attempt
PARADE Leader filly Laverna, in need of the experience first time out when her connections thought she would finish somewhere in the money, made amends second time out at Clairwood on Wednesday with a good win under Anthony Delpech. She is owned in partnership by Warne and Wendy Rippon, Andrew Pool, Graeme Joffe of 94.7 fame and A Qama. Watch this nice chestnut filly for more progress this season. (Gold Circle).
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'JJ' will soon be aimed at races over more ground
JJ The Jet Plane finished fourth in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot after running his race in snatches. “He ran like a horse who needs ground and I will put my head on a block we can win a feature with him over 1400m or a mile,'' said Mike de Kock. Read more. | |
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JJ is ready for a big run at Royal Ascot
IT's a huge day for Mike de Kock and his team as they aim to become the first South African outfit to win a race at Royal Ascot. Their charge is the formidable JJ The Jet Plane. More. | |
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Three wide draws for Mdk's July runners
BOUQUET-GARNI, Zirconeum and Forest Path, Mike de Kock's three runners for the Vodacom Durban July, have all drawn wide for this year's renewal of SA's greatest horse race. More. | |
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Tiger Ridge and Trippi hit the headlines at Royal Ascot meet
OFFSPRING of South African-based stallions Tiger Ridge (photo), and Trippi have won at Royal Ascot, doing us proud and making history for the US. Read more. | |
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Quietly, the warrior Imbongi prepares for his first UK battle
MIKE de Kock has been suitably impressed by Imbongi, working with him over the last few weeks at Newmarket. He said: “My horses here have blossomed, especially this one. I look at them now and compare them to what they looked like in Dubai and I am quite stunned. It's like I'm working with a different string of horses altogether. We had plenty of niggles in Dubai last season, they were not near what they are now.'' De Kock has earmarked a 1400m race on 27 June at Newmarket for the Summerhill-bred son of Russian Revival. | |
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Four good colts and more to choose from in a nice crop
STORM Vanidoso (left, Anthony Delpech), by Bernstein, was another well-bred colt to make a winning debut for Mike de Kock and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, this one winning over 1000m at Clairwood on Saturday 13 June. Solid Choice (right, Delpech), won his second race from three starts defeating stablemate Musir and Mike said: “Between the three of them and Mr Crazy Boy we have a good selection for Dubai. I'd like to run all of them in the feature on July Day and in the Premiers to see which ones will go to the UAE for next season's Dubai Racing Carnival.'' (JC Photos). |
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