Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Irish Flame has all the right credentials

David Thiselton
Trainer Mike de Kock said yesterday that all seven of his Vodacom Durban July runners were well and he had been pleased with their July gallops last Thursday in their build-up to Saturday’s big race at Greyville.
Kevin Shea clarified one point about Irish Flame, “He has got early speed. He is a very versatile horse.”
That was the missing piece in the jigsaw and it has to now be said that the three-year-old Dynasty colt has every one of the credentials necessary for a July winner, i.e. class, a relaxed temperament, good early pace, the strength to hold his position, high cruising speed, a turn of foot and stamina.
Irish Flame in fact proved both his early speed in
the Daily News 2000, when breaking well, and his high cruising speed, sitting with a double handful just behind the joint-leader, Conquered Dream.
Shea said that he had in fact wanted Conquered Dream to go faster.
Irish Flame also proved his turn of foot at the top of the straight in that race.
Irish Flame will now only have to answer those pundits who reckon he has a tough task for a three-year-old carrying 56kg.
De Kock said of his runners in one of the other big races
on the day, the Premier’s Champion Stakes, “Kavanagh, Zanzamar and Perana all galloped well.”
Kavanagh would be the yard’s chief contender here and De Kock said, “He should prefer the mile and is very fit.”
De Kock has two runners in the Grade 1 Garden Province, Here To Win and Flirtation, as well as reserve runner Candy Singer.
He said, “Here To Win and Flirtation might find it a touch sharp. Of the two Here To Win will be a little quicker over a mile. But it’s not the strongest Garden Province I’ve seen.”
Of his runners in the Gold Vase over 3 000m, Sweetie Pie and Equiparada, he said, “They have both got to prove they see out the trip.”
Both horses have certainly struck as likely to enjoy this distance.
Atyeb, a Rock Of Gibraltar Australian-bred three-year-old, runs in the second over 2 400m with first time blinkers.
De Kock said, “We’ve put the blinkers on as he has been a bit lazy in the early stages. He is bred for this trip.”
Of his runners in the third, the Grade 3 Schweppes 2200, he said, “La Foce is a bit in and out but might like this trip.”
His other runner here, Rich Strike, is 3kg under sufferance, but has consistent form up to 1 900m, although he is very widely drawn.
De Kock also two runners in
the eleventh over 1 200m, Kentucky Express and Meltaway.
He said, “Kentucky Express will have come on from his last start. Meltaway, this is more his distance.”
His other runner on the day is Diamond Game in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes.
She returns from a 130 day rest having won her maiden in her second start over 1 200m at odds of 1-3 at the Vaal.
Being by Fort Wood out of a Western Winter mare and a half-sister to the 1 800m winner Boylan Blaze, she should relish this step up in trip.

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