Mike de Kock has a strong hand in the Gr1 eLan Gold Cup on Sunday and his son and assistant Matthew spoke to Andrew Bon on Tellytrack about their chances.

Matthew said Enaad had matured and strengthened this year and he had duly converted yard confidence in the Gr 3 Gold Vase over 3000m last time out on Vodacom Durban July day. On that effort he should stay the extra 200m as he flew from a seemingly beaten position to get up.

Matthew is confident of another good run, although he added Enaad would need luck from the draw and recognised Arch Rival had him held at the weights.

On the other hand, Arch Rival is likely not as suited to Greyville as Turffontein, being a big galloping type, so it would be no great surprise to see Enaad reverse the form of his meeting with the former over 2450m on the Turffontein Standside track.

Matthew hinted this could be The Centenary’s last run before heading for the paddocks. He said she had a “stout pedigree” and coupling that with her excellent turn of foot he was hoping the Greyville 3200m would be “right up her alley.”

He said Kingston Mines was a quirky sort who needed to be left alone to do his own thing. Last time out when allowed to stride freely out in front he ran a fine race in the Gold Vase and is now 1kg better off with Enaad for a 0,75 length beating, so could be dangerous with similar tactics.

Matthew said Smart Mart had shown glimpses at home and in the races of being up to this standard, and that included his “exceptional run” in the Gold Vase in which he chased Kingston Mines the whole way only to be pipped by Enaad on the line. Matthew said Smart Mart was similar to Kingston Mines in that he probably needed things to go his way. He is officially 2,5kg under sufferance but is 0,5kg better off with Enaad for a 0,25 length beating in the Gold Vase.

Matthew said three-year-old Kinaan was maturing and felt his Gold Vase fourth place finish was “a very promising” run considering how far back he had come from. However, he is 4,5kg under sufferance and looks well held on Gold Vase form. Matthew also felt he would be a better stayer next year.

Meanwhile, Mike de Kock said on his website he was “delighted” with the condition of all five of his quintet and added Enaad and The Centenary were probably the best of them.

David Thiselton