Mathew de Kock isn’t underestimating the formidable task facing stable star Dave The King in his quest to achieve back-to-back victories in Sunday’s (27 July) G1 HKJC Champions Cup (1800m) at Greyville.

After returning from a successful training stint in Australia, de Kock now trains in partnership with his father, Mike, who has accumulated the most Group 1 wins of any South African trainer.

Following unplaced runs as favourite in two races at the end of his last campaign, Dave The King has won both of his races this year, including his most recent assignment in the G1 Gold Challenge (1600m) at Greyville on 7 June.

De Kock said the stable couldn’t be happier with the five-year-old gelding, noting he has improved since his last-start victory when he again started favourite.

“He has come on from his last start, which is great because it was really only his second run after a rest,” de Kock said.

“He seems to be peaking for this race, which is fantastic.

“He won very well last year, so it looks like everything is coming together for him to kind of put in a similar performance.”

In last year’s victory, Dave The King – the reigning South African Horse of the Year – cruised to the lead at the 1000m mark and opened up a handy margin while holding off fast-finishers from back in the field.

De Kock said the gelding, who will be ridden by Callan Murray, was a free-striding horse with a big action and a high cruising speed whose strength is placing his rivals under pressure during the middle stages of races.

While there are only nine runners in Sunday’s race, de Kock said it’s a tricky field. He rates Dean Kannemeyer’s last-start G1 Durban July (2200m) winner, The Real Prince, as the biggest danger.

“He is obviously in good form and has beaten most of the rest before, and I would probably be most worried about him from (barrier) number one,” de Kock said.

“The Durban July is our biggest race, which he won two weeks ago. It’s a handicap, though.
“See It Again is also a good horse on his day.”

Keagan de Melo, now based in Hong Kong, returns home for the ride on See It Again, who was injured in the lead up to the Durban July and goes into Sunday’s race fresh.

Kannemeyer said he didn’t hesitate to target Sunday’s race after The Real Prince’s last start – and most significant – victory on 5 July.       

“This Champions Cup will be his third run post a break, and it may well be that the 1800m suits him down to the ground,” he said.

“We will let the others worry about us.”

Gladatorian finished seventh, beaten five lengths, to The Real Prince in the Durban July, but the five-year-old’s earlier form gives him a chance of figuring in the placings.

The only three-year-old in the field is Fire Attack, who will carry 129lb, 3lb less than his older rivals, but has a tricky draw in barrier eight.

Montien, trained by Piet Botha, is sure to have some admirers for a place at decent odds.