Trainer Nathan Kotzen has been criticised for running my horse Cumulus, at Turffontein last Saturday, against Mujaafy, trained by his former ‘boss’ Mike De Kock. But that criticism is wide of the mark, as the decision was mine, and I would submit that it was a sound decision.

Allow me to expand. Cumulus won his first start impressively and in a good time over 1200m at Scottsville, while I was overseas. In his second run, he faded somewhat to finish fifth to Zen Arcade over 1400m on the Greyville poly, and it is worth noting that Zen Arcade was entered, and indeed won, the Graham Beck Stakes at Turffontein last Saturday. I was anxious to see just how good Cumulus is over 1200m on turf, but with Scottsville out of use until December, and with Greyville now primarily a poly track – especially if there is any rain – I began to look at the Vaal and Turffontein meetings in November. Anton Procter, who bred Cumulus, encouraged me but again the decision of when and where, and to compete in a race which included runners from the De Kock and Tarry stables, was mine. De Kock versus Kotzen was not a consideration.

Cumulus (Candiese Marnewick)

Of course, there were Doubting Thomas’s who felt that little old Cumulus would embarrass us in such good company – pick an easier race they opined. But, apart from the fact that they don’t pay the training fees, I wanted to answer a fundamental question: just how good is Cumulus? We knew he was fast, working well and racing fit. We also knew he was very quick into his stride and cruising speed over 1200m, and that he kept finding over that distance. Therefore, I was confident of a place cheque to cover the costs of racing him on the Highveld. Of course, Cumulus was up against Mujaafy, who had won his maiden impressively and could be anything, but his merit rating was 84 while Cumulus had been rated 87 after his first win. So, was Cumulus worth his merit rating, and wouldn’t the Turfffontein race answer that conclusively? Besides it seemed more sensible than running him in a local 84, in which a placed run would only see his rating increased even higher, and not tell us anything we did not already know about Cumulus.

I must admit that having been born at the Turf Club Nursing Home, which looks onto the Turffontein course, where my father had raced horses, and a stone’s throw from Wembley Stadium where he staged several world title fights, added a boyhood dream element into decision.

Although he was well beaten, Cumulus did not disappoint and was clearly second best only to a horse owned by the Crown Prince of Dubai. Even a highveld thunderstorm did not phase Cumulus, and given that Mujaafy looks to be a future champion, his run was certainly full of merit, and confirmed his rating. After the race Mike de Kock graciously said “I am sorry you had to come all the way here and bump into a champion, who may even become a stallion of note”. Anthony Delpech, who rode Mujaafy and had won on Cumulus, added “I told Craig Zackey that your little horse can really run”.

So for me it was mission accomplished, as Cumulus ran a blinder and Nathan Kotzen deserves nothing but praise on a job well done. We may well have horse will travel again, if the paucity of turf races in this province continues.

By Rob Haswell