Heather’s Boy made it three from three today (Tuesday) at Turffontein Standside in a run intended to get him to his peak for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guines in eleven days time. (JC Photos)
The Mike de Kock-trained Heather’s Boy had a satisfying warm up for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas at Turffontein Standside on Tuesday as he wore down the useful Guy Gibson to win the Graduation Plate event over 1600m by 1,50 lengths under Craig Zackey and he thus extended his unbeaten record to three from three.
The Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud-bred Rafeef colt had a bout of foot soreness after pulling a shoe and De Kock thus elected to run him today, eleven days ahead of the Cape Guineas.
He said in an interview before today’s race, “It’s never ideal but to have any chance in the Guineas he is going to have to be hard knocking and fit.”
In the end only four horses lined up in today’s race.
On official merit ratings Heather’s Boy was a whopping 8kg undwer sufferance with Guy Gibson, so his task was not as easy as his 2/11 odds suggested.
Guy Gibson led with Heather’s Boy following him and he took a tow from the latter in the straight too.
When he was switched in by Craig Zackey his huge stride took him alongside Guy Gibson with just a shake of tbe reains.
However, Zackey did have to give him a smack or two to keep his mind on the job and he went to the line a comfortable 1,50 lengths winner.
De Kock’s two Betway Dingaans runners Greaterix and Artist’s Model are still standing their ground in the Cape Guineas.
The immediate opinion of many was that Gretaerix had gone too hard out in front in the Dingaans, which would have meant he had had a hard race.
However, it has been pointed out that the first four into the straight were the first four home, so perhaps he did not go that hard.
