J&B Met: Mike de Kock exclusive on star filly Igugu

South Africa / Editor / 27 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

J & B Met favourite Igugu at the quarantine barn

“she travels well, she has won at a mile and a half, but I think her best trip is probably about a mile or ten furlongs.”

Mike de Kock saddles the favourite for the Grade 1 J&B Met at Kenilworth on Saturday in the shape of star filly Igugu. Sean Trivass caught up with him to get his views on the big race....

The fact is, like it or not, that when you mention South African racing, the name Mike de Kock will be the first to many people's lips. Success at home in South Africa has not been enough for Mike, who is perhaps even better known for his exploits in Dubai and Singapore, with famous names such as Ipi Tombe, Greys Inn, Irridescence, Musir, Lizard's Desire, the legendary J J The Jet Plane, and current superstar Igugu - the list is endless.

Running in to the great man in Cape Town ahead of the Grade 1 J & B Met at Kenilworth on Saturday (due off 14:30 GMT), I quickly asked him about his star filly.

Mike says "she has had her problems and we would rather have been going for the Dubai World Cup, but thanks to complicated problems with African horse sickness that is not on the cards just yet.

"But if she wasn't fully ready, I wouldn't be running her."

Mike also told me "she travels well, she has won at a mile and a half, but I think her best trip is probably about a mile or ten furlongs" ( Saturday's race is 2000 metres which is about ten furlongs).

Mike also kindly led Igugu out of the quarantine barn so I could have a look at her and, considering her problems, she looked an absolute picture, muscled up in all the right places. As a side note for punters, she may well look as if she is sweating up badly pre-race, but she is coming from a much cooler inside set up to the warm open air which has been a problem in the past for all quarantined horses, but if anyone can find a way round it, Mike can.

Generally speaking, Mike seemed pretty laid back and confident, so Igugu will be carrying my money Saturday afternoon!

Mike seemed strangely quiet about his other chances on Saturday, but that gave me the opportunity to be brave enough to ask him about his horses at the Dubai World Cup Carnival. To my delight, he was strangely forthcoming - click HERE to read what he had to say.

Sean also caught up with leading South African trainer Joey Ramsden, who previewed each race on Saturday's Kenilworth card. Click HERE to read his thoughts.
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Sean was talking to leading South African trainer Mike de Kock and would like to thank Mike, Gold Circle (Pty) Ltd, and www.thoroughbrednews.com.au