World Pool Moment of the Day Champion Stakes (Group 1)

MIKE de Kock celebrated his induction into South Africa’s Hall of Fame by sending out Jan Van Goyen to take the World Pool Moment of the Day Champion Stakes at Greyville last Sunday.

The Hall of Fame is mainly comprised of sports stars (although Desmond Tutu is among those honoured) but De Kock’s name now joins the likes of racing legends Michael Roberts, Ormond Ferraris and Syd Laird.

Jan Van Goyen, a two-year-old by Master Of My Fate out of a mare by the Irish-bred Oratorio, was beautifully placed throughout by Callan Murray who sent him on 300m out to score by almost four lengths.

“He jumped out, found the box seat and I pressed the button at the top of the straight. It doesn’t get any easier than that!” said Murray. “He has a great attitude and that is going to take him a long way.”

De Kock was unwilling to spell out plans (“We are going to have a drink and enjoy the moment!”) but son Matthew – who shares the licence – said: “He is a tough horse and the future looks very bright for him.”

Mercury Sprint

Gavin Lerena, who beat last season’s record-breaking Richard Fourie to take the jockeys’ championship, rode a peach of a race on 7/1 shot Buffalo Storm Cody for Tony Peter to land the Mercury Sprint by just over a length and a half from the Canford Cliffs-sired 9/4 favourite Tenango.

The winner is by Buffalo Bill Cody who was bred by Dermot Cantillon of Tinnakill House Stud fame.

“I bred him in partnership with my son Jack and Cathal Beale, CEO of the Irish National Stud,” Cantillon recalled, adding:” I went to see the horse when I visited South Africa in January and he looked magnificent.

“Indeed, I was delighted to purchase a share in a Buffalo Bill Cody yearling that has gone into training with Mike de Kock – and fingers crossed for her!”

Certainly Lerena is expecting great things from Buffalo Storm Cody, saying: “This is such a good horse and his attitude has changed completely since he was gelded.”

Peter shares Lerena’s opinion and explained last time’s below-par effort over this course, saying: “It was his first run under the lights.”

Golden Palm, a filly by Master Of My Fate out of a Var mare, readily justified prohibitive odds of 3/10 under Fourie in the Douglas Whyte Stakes for Alan Greeff.

“She was green, immature and looking at everything,” reported the jockey. “But she relaxes and she found a little bit of space early in the straight so I was able to really turn it on.”

Durban July winner The Real Prince was an understandably warm order for the HKJC Champions Cup but Gladatorian (only seventh in the big one) reversed the form under Sean Veale in the HKJC Champions Cup. By Vercingetorix, the win represented a major triumph for trainer Stuart Ferrie.

Cape Town-based Justin Snaith was champion trainer, Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud the top breeder and Vercingetorix beat Gimmethegreenlight for the sires’ title.