MIKE DE KOCK will not have a runner in this year’s Vodacom Durban July after he withdrew both of his entries, Malmoos and Barahin, on Monday.

This following the pair’s lacklustre runs in last Saturday’s Gr1 4Racing Champion’s Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein.

Malmoos, without his usual zip, weakened over the last 250m to cross the line 6.5-lengths behind Got The Greenlight and De Kock assessed on his website: “Malmoos’ prep for the race was perfect, but in the race itself he was a little leg weary.

“He’s travelled to the Cape and back this season. And then we had the Triple Crown – so perhaps this was just one run too many and he showed us that he needs a break. On a line of form through the second horse, Second Base, Malmoos ran about eight lengths below his best.

“All that said, well done to Joe Soma and his connections for their big win. A good bunch of enthusiastic racing people and they deserve their success. Also well done to the other feature winners on the day.”

 “We’ll give him the rest he deserves and bring him back for the Gauteng summer season.”

The stable’s Aragosta, an eighth individual winner from just 17 runners for freshman stallion Rafeef, is also likely to be ‘put away’ for a few months following his first win.

De Kock said: “We are delighted with Rafeef’s good start and I’m not surprised. He’s by a world champion sire from the most wonderful of mares and he was a top-class horse himself. It looks like Rafeef will be a versatile stallion too.”

Also out of the first entry list is Justin Snaith’s star filly Captain’s Ransom, Baby Shooz and Youcanthurrylove.