The Premier’s Champions Challenge was a train-smash for punters, but, by default, it set tongues wagging about the forthcoming Durban July. Picture: Getty Images
The Mike de Kock stable had a bit of an off day at Saturday’s Onamissionmile meeting at Turffontein – by its standards. But the Randjesfontein machine is still on an upward trajectory leading up to summer seasons in Joburg and Cape Town.
Indeed, De Kock did deliver with Saturday’s banker, the rising colt Desert Miracle, who posted his fourth win in a row and will be a central character in the coming Classics.
De Kock has another prodigy with a similar profile, the filly Definitely Maybe, who runs in Race 7, a 1600m FM Handicap at the Vaal racecourse on Tuesday.
She is a tad behind Desert Miracle in terms of maturity and experience but seems to have the wherewithal to catch up quickly. Take her pedigree, by Silvano out of a Tiger Ridge mare, for one thing.
Silvano needs no introduction, but it is worth mentioning that Tiger Ridge was underappreciated as a stallion in South Africa. From the family of the great American racer Secretariat, he sired all of Cherry On The Top, Wagner and Noah From Goa – among scores of other good horses.
Definitely Maybe has been retained in racing ownership by her breeder Wilgerbosdrift – like Desert Miracle – and a black-type racing career followed by a lucrative one in the paddock is the strategy.
She had her first run on 28 September on the Vaal Classic track and failed to justify odds-on expectations. But she was probably overawed by the occasion and the 1200m trip was short of optimum. Next time, over 1600m on the same track, there were no arguments as she cruised up.
Gavin Lerena partners Definitely Maybe for the third time and by now he will know which buttons to press. A wide draw at 12 shouldn’t present any problems against opposition that is definitely maybe not in her league.
SELECTIONS
1: 1 Princess Phillipa 6 Covermeinsunshine, 2 Sing Girl Sing, 4 Pink Legacy
2: 7 Groomedtowin, 6 Ablueazure, 5 Pewter Sky, 3 West Point
3: 3 Opera Glass, 4 She’s A Cracker, 6 Princess Kesh, 11 Tinder Dry
4: 6 Go Dream Machine, 5 Olympic Silk, 8 Duchessburnadette, 2 Crusade To Royalty
5: 4 Twin Turbo, 10 Motown Magic, 2 Oyster King, 8 Fsquadron
6: 1 Now You See Me, 8 Eternity Ring, 5 Phoenix, 7 Aryaam
7: 9 Definitely Maybe, 3 Two Fools Collide, 6 Dark Travel, 7 Eastern Belle
8: 13 The Makwakkers, 4 Capri Gold, 3 Midnight Badger, 7 Flowr Of Scotland
Pick 6: 3,4,5,6,9,10,11 x 5,6,8 x 1,2,3,4,8,10 x 1,5,8 x 9 x 3,4,7,8,13 (R1890)
PA: 5,6,7 x 3,4 x 5,6 x 2,4,10 x 1 x 9 x 3,4,13 (R108)