Whistle Stop

TALENTED three-year-old Whistle Stop returns from a five-month lay-off in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m on the Inside Track at Turffontein on Sunday.

He has been in preparation for the KZN Champions Season with a number of Graded features on Mike de Kock’s list of potential targets, but the stable’s keeping all options open, waiting to see how he performs in this competitive line-up on a tight circuit he hasn’t been to before.

Ring-rusty, drawn widest of all, unfavourably weighted and up against the likes of 2012 Durban July winner Pomodoro and runner-up Smanjemanje, Whistle Stop faces a comeback so tough it will come as a surprise to see him fight out the finish, let alone win.

Pressed for time at this important juncture, Mike’s had limited choices and Whistle Stop’s competing in next week’s Gr1 Daily News depends on what he is able to show on Sunday.

Assistant trainer Mathew de Kock commented: “The Durban July is our ultimate aim with Whistle Stop, but considering the constraints of time we’ve also nominated him for the Gold Challenge and the Cup Trial. He will definitely need the run, but we have to step him out because you can’t go into any of these quality races without at least a run under the belt.

“We’d be more than happy if Whistle Stop can make the first three or four on Sunday to show his well-being and to give us an idea of where we stand. He is not near his peak and we’re hoping he can run well on class alone and make the necessary improvement after that.”

I would not be rushing to the bank to back this horse - Must be something amiss though with THE BOSS in town I may be wrong but other horses with hot current form around - (I will say that Pomo may be feeling his mid wicket now and may be more interested in Ihla than the winning post but he's Racing Fit and a strong bugger to boot - Breeders should ask Mr Timbercity when he plans to retire this MAN as he will make a stallion -wins sprints and the Blue Riband also - I suppose he'll go to Klavervlei after this term)

I would Brass it

He will shit in 2mro

Not a bad run imo - but may not be around for the July - according to MDK's website, he might be going to Dubai, which means he has to be in quarantine by 8 June.