De Kock shoots for a perfect 10 with Ilha Bela
Champion trainer Mike de Kock has had success in every major feature race in the country but none more than the Sansui Summer Cup.
As he sets his sights on conquering the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival, revered trainer Mike de Kock has acquired two former Godolphin runners. Picture: Supplied.
De Kock-trained runners have won the race on nine occasions and he is hoping Ilha Bela will make it No 10 when she lines up for the R2-million race over 2 000m at Turffontein on Saturday.
“It would be the fairy tale story, having won it with her mother,” De Kock said yesterday. “Unfortunately in this game there are more sad stories than fairy tales. But obviously, if she does win, it would be the fairy tale finish for (owner) Mary (Slack) and the family.
“However, I don’t want to start fantasising about winning. I try to keep things on planet Earth.”
In 2005 De Kock and Slack teamed up with Ilha Da Vitoria, the dam of Ilha Bela, to win the Summer Cup. It would be a fillip for the connections if De Kock could win his 10th Summer Cup with her daughter.
“Ilha Da Vittoria has turned into a really good broodmare so a win in this race would boost her even further,” added De Kock.
Ilha Bela, who will be ridden by Anthony Delpech, is currently favourite for the Grade 1 race at 6/1. She is one of four fillies in the race and the only grey.
In what is a rare occurrence, De Kock has only one runner in the Summer Cup. That does not concern him.
“I only need one horse!”
