De Kock duo add international flavour to July Festival
Monday 9th July, 2007
THE presence of two South African-trained runners at Newmarket this week underlines the international appeal of the Ritz Club July Festival.
South African champion trainer Mike De Kock is due to run globe-trotting mare Irridescence in the UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes on Wednesday and Drayton in the Darley July Cup.
The six-year-old Irridescence, a three-time Group 1 winner - and conqueror of the legendary Ouija Board in last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong - will be making her British debut in the prestigious Group 1 for fillies and mares.
Based at local trainer Geoff Wragg’s Bury Road yard, her preparations have gone smoothly for what will be her first start since a below-par display in the Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba in March.
Previewing Irridescence’s latest engagement, De Kock said: “All is going well with her and she has progressed, settled in and handled it well in England. She wasn't well in Dubai and lost weight, but she has now put it back on, picked up and thrived.
"The Falmouth has a very strong field obviously and it will be a very tough task to win. We will be ecstatic and very satisfied with her if she can be in the first four."
Drayton completes a big week for De Kock with a tilt at the meeting’s feature, the Darley July Cup. The son of Danetime was well beaten in the Stan James 2000 Guineas on Newmarket's NatWest Rowley Mile in May but put up an improved showing last month in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot when fifth to Soldier's Tale.
De Kock feels his charge has improved since, saying: "I thought that it was a good run at Ascot and he was left at the start which probably worked in his favour.
"He was switched off early and then was kicking on well at the end. There is no doubt that he is a bit fitter now and I am expecting him to run well."