The Betway Summer Cup is coming up (25 November), it is no better time to come to form than now and with Mike De Kock not only landing the recent Summer Pudding handicap with Silver Sanctuary but also taking second with Bonete bodes well for the world-famous trainer. Bonete looks to have come to hand, is quickly raced again at Turffontein on Friday and is one of three De Kock runners that look hard to beat.
Bonete faces only six other starters in Race 3, an MR90 handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m and she could lead them a merry dance. Especially after she almost held on to beat the stable’s star three-year-old filly. Silver Sanctuary is being touted as one that can pull off the 2024 Triple Tiara and she is after all a sister to Safe Passage who was one of the best of his generation. There are no other natural frontrunners in the race, Special Charm finished blowing after overdoing it from the front last time and will have a tough task taking on the Grade 3 placed grey.
While Bonete may be the stable’s choice as the best bet on the day, De Kock will be hoping Beamonesque will also impress in Race 8’s MR86 1160m handicap. The Rafeef colt confirmed debut promise when winning his second start by a widening 7,00 lengths. It was his first run after rest, and he was making his local debut-his first race was at difficult Hollywoodbets Scottsville, but the handicapper was certainly enamoured by him as he gave him a not undeserved rating of 90. In terms of how he fits in with the older brigade he carries 1kg less than four-year-old Cornwall rated 82 so he represents an 80 while appearing to be a horse of much higher quality.
The way Beamonesque kept on extending was pleasing, he looks the type that should enjoy being challenged. He will get a chance to do just that and raise his game as Fostinovo and Power Broker aren’t slouches and Law Of Success having drawn well could also give cheek.
Woman Of Power is also fairly unexposed. She is another well bred individual being by Vercingetorix from the family of Rat Burana who won both the Grade 1 Alan Robertson and S A Fillies sprint over 1200m. And she a decent record of a win, two seconds and a third from four starts but expect good value about her chances as she runs in a competitive event, Race 7’s MR87 fillies and mares handicap over 1000m.
Race 6, the best race on the card, is quite a powerful contest boasting the likes of SA Fillies Classic runner up Feather Boa and Grade 2 winners Peach Daiquiri and Val D’orcia. The way the track is running Feather Boa could finally land a win on the standside track but Winter Greeting and Humdinger, who has beaten Feather Boa before, have the speed to take it to the wire.
Clive Robinson
