Mike de Kock has had some decent stayers over the years, and he appears to have landed another in Marauding Horde.
The son of Vercingetorix began his racing career in December last yar when finishing a 1.10-length second behind Presley in a Maiden Plate over 1400m at Turffontein and followed up with another second place over 1600m behind Blackberry Breeze.
De Kock extended the three-year-old to 1800m in his third start and this time, despite shifting around in the straight, shed his maiden by beating Judgment Day by 0.20 lengths.
From there Marauding Horde went straight into the Listed TAB Hawwaam Stakes, formerly the Derby Trial over 2000m at Turffontein, this time fitting him in blinkers.
The transformation was remarkable as Marauding Horde absolutely routed his opposition to win by 4.25 lengths, leaving a reasonable field of three-year-olds in his wake.
It came as no surprise when the entries for the Grade 1 SA Derby over 2450m closed on Monday to find Marauding Horde’s name among them.
Many of the runners he beat in the Hawwaam Stakes are there as well but so is that of Grade 1 TAB SA Classic and Grade 2 Dingaans champion Purple Pitcher as well as the horse who beat him on debut, Presley.
Meanwhile, De Kock will be giving his charge one more warm-up race ahead of the SA Derby at Turffontein on Saturday when he will contest Race 6, a MR 80 Handicap over 2000m.
This could well be his toughest test as he is taking on older and more experienced horses and in all but two of the runners, will be giving them weight.
Nonetheless, Marauding Horde should be able to rise to the occasion and defeat the six opposing runners.
Marco van Rensburg, who rode hm for the first time in the Hawwaam Stakes, will take the ride once again.
The main threat could very well come from another three-year-old in To The Rescue. Sean Tarry’s charge just got up to win his maiden last time over 1800m but that was his first run after having been gelded and he is likely to improve on that effort.
The son of Gimmethegreenlight is also likely to improve over the additional 200m and he does receive 4kg from Marauding Horde.
Gavin Lerena takes the ride.
Clive Robinson
