Mike Azzie has three runners in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, Deputy Jud, Amsterdam and Prince Of Orange, and all of them have been prepared out of his Champions Season yard at Summerveld.

His Judpot colt Deputy Jud was third in the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m in very soft going and second in the Gr 1 SA Derby in slightly soft going.

Azzie said, “He took a while to adjust to Summerveld but has settled nicely in the last couple of days. I would have liked another week to get him to his peak but I am not unhappy with him, he is looking good, moving well and eating well.”

Deputy Jud is a big galloping type and, regarding his suitability to Greyville, Azzie said, “It’s always a worry with a tight track, but he did finish a close second to Ertijaal on the Turffontein Inside track. That’s a tight track, although not as tight as Greyville, and he did handle it reasonably well. I always say a good horse can handle any track.”

The Windrush gelding Amsterdam was bought into the yard after finishing a 0,75 length second in the SA Classic but was then beaten by a long way in the SA Derby. Azzie said, “It was a shocking run and the jockey got off and blamed himself but I don’t think he did anything wrong, I just think it was a pretty flat run.I think we will only see the best of this horse in six months time, he is tall and needs to furnish into his frame and build some muscle.”

His third contender, the Indigo Magic colt Prince Of Orange, has also just been bought into the yard and looks to have a bit to do on form having been beaten 4,5 lengths, eight lengths and 14,5 lengths respectively in the Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas, the SA Classic and the SA Derby. However, Azzie was upbeat about him and said, “He has done well since arriving in our yard and has blossomed. I think he could be the surprise of the race.”

Azzie runs the Go Deputy first-timer colt Abashiri in race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1600m, and the Querari filly Melliflora in the second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1600m. He said, “Meillflora should be in the shake up. Abashiri is a really smart colt but is big and burly and we need to get on the road to see where to go with him.”

By David Thiselton

Picture: Mike Azzie