Will there be another Jan Van Goyen Gr 1 victory celebration at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday? (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Jan van Goyen departed for Cape Town on Tuesday and the Mike and Mathew de Kock yard are bullish about his chances in the Gr 1 Holllywoodbets Cape Guineas.
Mathew said the Master Of My Fate colt had needed his last start in the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans and elaborated, “It was his first run since July, so he had to have needed it and he seems to have come on a bit from the run, so we’re quite excited.”
He added, “He had to do a lot from the gate in the Dingaans. He was drawn wide and Trust actually kept him out, it was a good tactical ride from Serino, so we had to use a bit of petrol early and it took its toll late.”
Jan van Goyen produced a tremendous burst in the straight that took him clear, but Trust had him in his sights and got alongside before finding an extra gear late to win by 0,70 lengths.
It was a fine run by Jan van Goyen, considering he needed it coupled with it not having panned out well, and this was illustrated by the rest of the field being more than five lengths behind the winner.
The De Kocks hold Jan Van Goyen in high regard and Mathew said, “He’s not done anything wrong. He was Champion Two-year-old colt, so we will take on the boys, even if it’s across the country. We’ll give it a bash and see.”
Jan Van Goyen has landed a plum draw of four and he will be out to land a sixth Cape Guineas for the De Kock yard, with the first of them having been the great Horse Chestnut 26 years ago in 1999.
Jan Van Goyen will join the De Kock Cape string at the Dean Kannemeyer yard, where they are being taken care of by Wendy Michel.
*Update – he was said by Callan Murray on a panel discussion to have traveled down very well
The De Kocks run former Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King in the Gr 2 Green Point Stakes over 1600m and Mathew said he was well.
He added, “He’s been down there for an extended period of time and has really enjoyed it. His weight is spot on. He was actually a bit heavy his last couple of runs, so his weight’s back to his winning weight and I’m expecting a good performance from him.”
