Mike De Kock lets rip at "incompetent" Gold Circle Panel

from mikedekockracing.com


MIKE de Kock has slammed the decision of the panel that selected the final field for the 2013 Vodacom Durban July, to omit Rock Cocktail.
The final field for the R3.5-million race to be run over 2200m at Greyville on Saturday 6 July was announced on Tuesday and although he has a merit rating of 105, which is higher than six of the runners that did make the field, Rock Cocktail’s name does not appear among the twenty names that constitute the 2013 line-up.
Mike, angered by Rock Cocktail’s omission, commented: “Every year I expect the worst from the Gold Circle panel and I’m rarely disappointed. All they have done is to confirm what everybody already knows – that they’re incompetent!’’
On the conditions of Vodacom Durban July selection, Gold Circle states: “It is an express condition of this race that the Company reserves the right to exclude any horse, which, in its opinion, does not warrant inclusion in the race. In addition, the Company shall have the right to exclude any horse at Declaration Stage, and to decide on the final field for the race.’’
Gold Circle have also been publishing a log which “will reflect all the horses, in order of preference, as to the make-up of the final field at the time of publication. Factors used will include the horses current Merit Rating, its current racing form and competitiveness in the Graded and Listed stakes program over the past year.’’
As it happened, the final July log was published on 4 June, before final supplementary entries. It was only at that stage that Rock Cocktail was supplemented into the race. As a result, no log giving any indication of where Rock Cocktail, and the filly Jet Belle, would fit in was ever released publicly.
Mike’s decision to enter Rock Cocktail into the July was based on his second place behind Jet Explorer in the Grade 2 Betting World 1900 and his fifth behind Vercingetorix in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000, beaten only a length. Wylie Hall was just 0.75 lengths ahead of him in the Daily News while Wild One was 2.50 lengths behind. Both those runners cracked the nod from the panel.
On the basis of his Daily News run the handicapper raised Rock Cocktail’s merit rating from 90 to 105. There was no adjustment to Wild One, which indicates that he ran to his rating, which is 10 points lower than Rock Cocktail.
“What makes me suspicious is that there is no transparency. My nose twitches because of the manner it is done,’’ said Mike. “Everything happens behind closed doors.”
He added: “I am quite happy to expose my horses but clearly I am wrong. You must not be open. You must duck and dive or be an owner or trainer who is very matey with members of the panel. Year in and year out, the Gold Circle panel manages to sour South Africa’s biggest racing spectacle.’’
Mike felt the betting would have reflected that his runner had a chance. “Rock Cocktail would have been fifth or sixth in the betting. There would have been a market. Some of their selections will hardly attract a bet.
“Our horse aside, I am surprised that Geoff Woodruff’s 103-rated runner, Tellina, wasn’t deemed good enough to take his place in the July. For example, there is nothing on form between Tellina and Love Struck, who was included in the final twenty. Some years ago the Graded Stakes Committee debated having the SA Derby downgraded to a Grade 2 race, despite the many champions that had won it. This year the Gold Circle panel seems to have favoured the Derby form above the Daily News form. But perhaps I’m being too harsh on the panel. My owners and I have gotten used to the transparent processes and levels of professionalism in racing jurisdictions in other parts of the world.”
Woodruff commented about Tellina: “His omission makes a mockery of the selection criteria. I think they’ve done a disservice to the owner.’’

WELL SAID

the condition for the final field are very clear - the panel make final decision. de kock is no bigger than this game plenty opinions and he is no only trainer who is affected.

Is this the only race in SA whereby a panel decides your horses fate and not the Merit rating system??

Well it is what it is and although I agree and disagree with many aspects of racing, it will remain what it is. I feel MDK's setiments and Woodruff's the same as I believe that TELLINA and ROCK ROCKTAIL both deserved a run in the VDJ. I cannot believe that K*K like WAGNER can make the cut.... That's UNBELIEVABLE!!!! But we all know why WAGNER is running ???

This makes Gold Circus' decision not to print an updated log after the 4th June even more ludacris. So any horse supplemented after the 4th June has no chance to make the Final Field so you pay that money nothing as you are not in the Top 30 at the last log? :S

boys i dont say i agree with Rock Cocktail make final field. what i say is the condition is clear and really their is no way de kock can win these argument. for the record i agree with what he say. love struck is trained by member of GC board and worse he run this sunday in other big race. this is un fair entry he have no chance but is just what harry think

Shrek Wasn't No Worries successful.Or was this on another date

Ben-Hur Wrote:

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> Shrek Wasn't No Worries successful.Or was this on
> another date


No Worries was 12th on that log on 4th June, not sure the other two were supplemented. Surely a log needs to be published after all supplemetary nominations are added for completness?

Flash, the only reason Love Struck is in the field and Tellina not is because of Cormack (accedentially) hitting Tellina on the head.

As Flash says - the conditions are clear - does not matter that the 'panel' have not done their job properly (in the view of many) - in their view it is probably 'their' race and it is their prerogative to make any stuff up that they wish

Flash, we all know the panel has the final say, but does that mean that they're above criticism? I cant see the point youre trying to make here.

I agree with MDK, the panel effed up here big time, whether it was through stupidity or with intent is another debate.

The public should get some feedback from lips and his mates why RC and T were excluded.

the point i try to make saksy as de kock has all ready is that the panel make the final say regardless of what merit rating and form say. so to try justify one or another to make field when they have not is waste of time.