Don't Write De Kock Entry Off

Sporting Post

07 May 2023

All is not lost for the supporters of the early Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post favourite Safe Passage after the son of Silvano put up an almost too-bad-to-be-true performance in Saturday’s R500 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Safe Passage suffered a niggle whilst prepping in the Cape in January prior to the WSB Cape Town Met and was having his first run on Saturday in the 23 weeks since beaten a half length by subsequent Gr1 Premiers Champions Challenge hero Puerto Manzano in the Betway Gr1 Summer Cup late last year.

On Saturday, Safe Passage was always labouring in last in the 2023 Champions Season opener, and eventually ran 14,75 lengths off winner, Trip Of Fortune.

Watch the replay here – Safe Passage jumps from the 6 gate:

The performance of the Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite did not escape the attention of the Stipes, who requested the Veterinary Surgeon to examine the gelding.

Trainer Mike de Kock was also advised to report back to the Stipendiary Board on the condition the 4yo on his return to stables.

Jockey Richard Fourie appeared before the Board and was questioned regarding the disappointing performance.

Fourie explained that he was somewhat surprised by this gelding’s indifferent performance and he felt that his mount had never taken the bit during the running and hence raced detached from the field throughout. He added that Safe Passage was returning from a lengthy lay off and that in his opinion, the 1400m may be on the short side at this stage of his career. Fourie’s explanation was noted by the Board.

A spokesman for the Mike de Kock yard told the Sporting Post on Sunday that there was no explanation for the poor effort but that Safe Passage was ‘100 percent’ 24 hours later.

They also noted that he had received a bump in the race and had ‘spat out the dummy’ after that. The six-time winner, who ran third behind stablemate Sparkling Water in the 2022 renewal of Africa’s greatest race, also reportedly returned after the Drill Hall with a closed eye.

While it could not be confirmed, there has been talk that Richard Fourie had Safe Passage in mind as a Hollywoodbets Durban July ride. We were unable to reach him for comment.

Safe Passage is certainly a strategic horse in the scheme of things for the big race on 1 July. He is the likely topweight and his absence would be a potential gamechanger in respect of the weights to be carried by the 3yo’s.

He has only run thrice since finishing third behind stablemate Sparkling Water last year, and after Saturday’s effort there would probably be an expectation amongst his fan base that he turns up and establishes his wellness credentials in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on 10 June.

This is the last of the all-age male automatic qualifier races for the big race.

Hollywoodbets’ Patrick Bradley confirmed to the Sporting Post that there was a lot of money for Safe Passage last week from different sources, hence the reason he shortened into 5-1.

He is now out at 8-1 alongside original favourite Cousin Casey and the fast-emerging 3yo, Without Question.

“I must admit that I am a bit confused with Safe Passage as prior to Saturday he was my personal choice for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but his run yesterday was too bad to be true. I’d suggest we await a bit of information before dismissing his chances for the big race!” concluded Bradley.

After his terrific flying second behind Charles Dickens in the WSB Guineas on Saturday, Michael Roberts’ new antepost board-topper See It Again was labelled the ‘biggest Hollywoodbets Durban July pointer’ from the weekend by some informed observers.

They include Hollywoodbets’ Kyle Johnstone who feels that the mile is short of the son of Twice Over’s optimal distance and that the SplashOut Cape Derby winner ‘got lost’ between the 400m and 200m on Saturday, before running on nicely.

“He and Without Question look like the pick of the 3 year olds. Saturday probably also showed that the Cape 3 year olds are superior to their up-country counterparts. For what it’s worth, Hoedspruit remains my outside choice of the best weighted older horses,” he added.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July has some automatic qualifier races.These are the races below and the winners, so far: