Our runners, HWB Greyville and Turffontein

Mike de Kock believes that Saturday’s R2-million Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville is arguably “the race of the year” and said on Friday: “It’s a super contest and to make the top four will be some achievement.”

The De Kock training partnership will be saddling six-year-old Dave The King in an attempt to win his third successive Gold Challenge. He defeated Cousin Casey, Purple Pitcher and See It Again in 2024 and held on to beat Oriental Charm, Gladatorian and Cosmic Speed in last year’s exciting renewal.

Dave The King succeeded twice by using his exceptional cruising speed and putting his rivals on the back foot early.  Whether he can pull the same off again remains to be seen, but he has been showing the right signs in work and Mike said: “He has definitely improved on his last start and we’re looking forward to the race. I think he will run very well.”

Strutting steps out after a rest and her Maiden win in Race 3, a handicap over 1400m on the Polytrack, and Mike commented: “Strutting is a very temperamental filly and is difficult to assess because of that. She has some ability, however, and should be included in your play.”

Spaarne Rivier lines up in Race 4 over 1400m on the Poly. “We expected better from him last time and we’re hoping he can improve on that. This is his third run after a rest, he could get into the places.”

Mathew de Kock’s notes on Sunday’s runners on the standside track at Turffontein are:

Race 1, 1160m: “Prince Ivar is a nice type of horse showing us good work at home. His dam was a good sprinter, and while it looks like he is going to want a bit further, he certainly can be a factor if he’s not too green, first-up.”

Race 2, 1160m: “Shabeen Queen is quite a hot filly and this run is about giving her a good experience on her debut. She will need a little further than this, we’d like to see her running on and enjoying her first visit to the track.”

Race 3, 1000m:  “Cymric made a nice forward move in his return effort last time, we were pleased with that effort, he just got tired at the end. He has made the kind of improvement in his work to warrant consideration in this race. He needs one more run to peak, but could run into the money.”

Race 6, 1600m: “We’ve brought Gotta Go Eddie up from Durban to contest this tough little race. But he is a tough little horse, a hard-knocking sort and he has travelled well and settled in at Randjes. He has been running in handicaps against older horses so it will be interesting to see how he goes in this company, against his own age group. Yippee Kiyay has the right form, including just two lengths off in the Guineas. On that level of form he has eachway prospects.”

Race 7, 1800m: “Aladdin’s Lamp is in great shape and really doing well. He had a little freshen up after running in the two stayer’s marathons. He didn’t fully see out those races, just placed by virtue of his class. He is better over this sort of trip. We’ve put blinkers on him at work and he has impressed us. He is one to include in everything. Buster Barnes has improved in work, but is still not at peak fitness and this will bring him on.”

Race 8, 1400m: “Two good runners in I’m A Fireball and Destiny Of Fire. I’m A Fireball enjoys 1400m, has a low weight and a soft gate, he comes into the reckoning with a chance. Destiny Of Fire is in top form. She ran well in sprints recently but is at her best around 1400m and must be a big runner with a good draw, her sex allowance and her jockey’s allowance. It is very competitive, however. In this Pinnacle Stakes a runner like Money Heist remains in the same weight bracket after winning his last start, he is basically a winner without a penalty.”

Race 9, 1600m: “Buddy Boy ran on well in his last run, when he needed it after a rest.  He’s made the necessary improvement, his work this week was excellent. He should be included in all your bets.”

Race 10, 1160m: “Cold Shine delivered what he showed us in work last time. He was formless so we couldn’t have confidence, but it was good to see him get the job done and hopefully he can sustain this now. We are backing him up quick, but we saw an opportunity here in a weaker race. He was penalized three pounds for his win, but Mickaelle Michel’s allowance compensates for that. On paper he is handicapped to go close again. The quick back-up is a concern, but his work has remained good.”