Three useful runners from the Mike de Kock stable will travel to Durban on Friday for this weekend’s Gold Cup Festival of Racing at Greyville.

Kinaan (AUS), third in the Gr3 eLAN Property Group Gold Cup over 3200m last year, comes into this year’s race off a similarly good preparation and Mathew de Kock commented: “He’s well weighted and nicely drawn, he’s a horse with a chance.”

Mujallad (AUS), is an improving young horse and one his rivals will have to contend with in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m. “Mujallad is starting to put things together, he has improved more since his most recent win and he also has the benefit of a good draw. I think he will run well.”

Trip To Rio is not the easiest of customers around, but the stable found what looks like an ideal race for him, a MR77 Polytrack Handicap over 1900m. He posted a good win in a stronger race when last taken to the Polytrack a year ago so is in with an obvious chance of fighting out the finish.

Callan Murray will partner the trio, keen to get back among the winners after his spell in Hong Kong.

Mikedekockracing.com