De Kock is introducing horses bred in the purple in conveyor belt like fashion and in the first race tomorrow he steps out the Australian-bred Dhabyaan, a three-year-old son of Medaglia D’Oro, who won three Group 1s in North America on the dirt from 1800-2000m. Dhabyaan’s dam is an unraced half-sister to Undoubtedly, who won the Grade 1 Blue Diamond Stakes over 1200m, Victoria’s most expensive two-year-old race. Dhabyaan has JP van der Merwe aboard from pole position and doesn’t have a lot to beat. King Of The Delta and Gypsy’s Answer have run some fair races, but are quite exposed. National Host was backed on debut, but was one-paced and was reported to have made a breathing noise. He might improve. Bella Ciao is the most interesting of the other first-timers, being by Black MInnaloushe out of an unraced Silvano mare, who was a half-sister to the useful middle distance to staying type Rippling Ring.

Mike De Kock

De Kock could also win the third with Kremlin Judgement. He did not have the wow factor on his debut, but was certainly staying on nicely from a wide draw in an uninspiring event over 1500m. He will enjoy the extra 100m of this 1600m event and is now drawn in pole. Red Revolution ran a similar sort of race to Kremlin Judgement from draw three over 1500m last time and is drawn three again, so could be a threat. The other De Kock runner is Yaamen, who ran a reasonable race on debut over 1200m and will appreciate the step up in trip. One of De Kock’s regular riders, Callan Murray, is aboard Kremlin Judgement, which suggests he is the stable elect.

In the fourth race over 2000m Murray is aboard Big Parade, who is superbly bred and bred for the distance, being by July winner Dynasty out of Summer Cup winner Flirtation. He caught the eye staying on with long strides from a wide draw over 1600m last time and will be hard to beat. If there is one who could upset him it is his stablemate Tremendous, who is a nice looking type and stayed on well in his penultimate start over 1800m. He took no interest last time and the blinkers are now on, which could see him fulfil his potential. Furthermore, he is drawn two, while Big Parade has to overcome draw eleven.

In race five, a MR 90 handicap for three-year-olds over 1600m, De Kock has a chance with eye-catching debut winner Alshibaa. He is by the superb sire Street Cry and showed a fine turn of foot on debut to win easily over 1200m. That was not a strong field and he still has plenty of maturing to do, but he should relish the step up to this trip. However, the choice to win is Forafewdollarsmore even though he hasn’t run since May, as he impressed with his sustained finish over 1400m on debut. De Kock also runs King’s County, who won his third start as a gelding easily last time to exit the maidens, and he is the dark horse.

In race six, a MR 83 Handicap for three-year-old fillies over 1600m, De Kock could win it with Mohallela. Her sire Exceed And Excel was a sprinter, but her dam Yaasah is an unraced half-sister to a stakes winner over 2000m. In her last start she looked outpaced in the finish and looked to be wanting further. However, she will be given a lot to think about by Jet Start and Flying Fable, who look to have some class too. Raven Girl could also play a part if bouncing back to the form of her debut, and further down the weights the Lucky Houdalakis pair of Tundra Taita and Braxton should still be improving.

By David Thiselton