De Kock-trained filly to take on the colts

Wilgerbosdrift Fillies Guineas contender Will I Do takes on the colts in Race 5 over 1700m on the Vaal turf track today in a MR 90 Handicap and Mathew de Kock believes she has enough ability to be competitive against the boys.


The daughter of Tiger Ridge comes into the race with just 52.5kg on her back, has the benefit of No 2 draw and Muzi Yeni in the irons. While so many people are talking about the fight between Piere Strydom (98 wins) and S’manga Khumalo (92) for this season’s jockeys’ title few notice Yeni placed in third spot with 90 winners.

For the record, in fourth position is Gavin Lerena (88), Greg Cheyne (87) and Sean Cormack (86) so it is very tight at the top right now.

“With the Fillies Guineas coming up at the end of the month we are very limited for choices as far as suitable races for her go so we had to go against the colts,” De Kock, assistant to his dad, Mike, said yesterday. “I believe she’s got enough ability to be competitive.

“We’ll see how she goes. She’s drawn No 23 of 23 runners in Guineas so there is no point going there unless you’re sure she has a winning chance.”

Will I Do has raced eight times for two wins, two seconds, two thirds, one fourth and one fifth place (on debut on the Polytrack). She very unlucky not to win on Jockeys’ International  Challenge Day at Turffontein last November when jockey Adam Kirby moved far too early in the long Turffontein straight and she was run out of it by outsider Luala.

She has only had one run back and that was over 1450m on the Turffontein inside track. She did well to finish third, just 0.50 lengths behind Sprinting Queen as it is a distance short of her best. She should enjoy the long Vaal straight and with a light weight this beautiful grey filly looks the runner to beat.

Sean Tarry saddles Orchestrated who looks to be equally adept on sand and turf. Two runs back Piere Strydom rode the four year-old son of Jay Peg on the Turffontein inside track and finished a 1.25-length second behind Alghadeer. The pair are re-united in this event and they look the main threat to Will I Do.

Orchestrated jumps from pole position and Strydom is always dangerous if allowed to hug the rail and orchestrate the pace.

Leeuloop Jet loves this track and has won both of his starts over the course and distance. He has to give 6kg to the De Kock-trained filly and from No 10 draw that could be a problem for jockey Gunter Wrogemann.

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