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De Kock holds the whiphand
As expected trainer Mike de Kock will have a major say on Guineas Day at Turffontein on Saturday 27 February.
The former SA champion trainer runs three horses in the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes, two in the R1-million Gauteng Guineas, six in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and two in the Hawaii Stakes over 1400m.
The Gauteng Guineas (G2), which is the first leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown, has attracted a strong field of three-year-olds, headed up by Pierre Jourdan from the Gary Alexander yard. The son of Parade Leader has won four of his five races, his only narrow defeat coming at the hands of Havasha, who is one of De Kock’s two runners. His second is the filly Gluwein, who dead-heated with Love Is In The Air in the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes at Kenilworth last month. Anthony Delpech will ride Gluwein while Piere Strydom is aboard Havasha.
Champion trainer Charles Laird sends out Dingaans and Cape Guineas runner-up Galileo’s Galaxy, as well as the much-improved Flying Tristram. Stable jockey Anton Marcus has chosen to ride Galileo’s Galaxy.
De Kock’s six runners dominate the Gauteng Fillies Guineas, the first leg of the Triple Tiara, with unbeaten Sidera heading the list. She is perfectly drawn at No 4 and has Delpech in the irons. Backing her are stablemates Laverna, Ariza, Fisani, Here To Win and Alderry.
However, the best of De Kock’s runners looks to be in the Empress Club Stakes where he sends out Mother Russia. Since joining his yard the Windrush filly has won the Ipi Tombe Stakes, the Grade 1 Paddock Stakes and finished runner-up to River Jetez in the J&B Met with Pocket Power behind her.
Marcus, who has ridden her to both of those victories, is in the saddle again. She is superbly weighted under the race conditions but will have to jump from a No 10 draw in this 1600m race.
The Hawaii Stakes brings together some old favourites, headed up by Laird’s Smart Banker and Sean Tarry’s Buy And Sell. However, De Kock saddles 2008 Summer Cup winner Rudra, who was a facile winner of his only start since returning to the track.

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