Imbongi to run saturday

Mike de Kock has pinpointed Saturday's John Bovington Memorial Criterion Stakes at Newmarket as a starting point for the useful Imbongi.

A multiple scorer in Group company in his native South Africa, he ran with credit in Dubai against the likes of Gladiatorus and Balius.

"Imbongi is an intended runner in the Criterion Stakes, as things stand," said De Kock.

"He worked on the Rowley Mile with Diana's Choice two weeks ago and he took it well.

"I think that seven furlongs to a mile is his best trip and the forecast ground should be an advantage for him.

"We had some poor ventilation in Dubai and some of the horses bled out there but he still showed a decent level of form, including when he finished in front of Vodka in a Group Two in March.

"It wasn't a bad performance in Hong Kong either, when he ran from quite far back.

"Alexandros was a neck behind him on that occasion and he went on to be second in the Lockinge Stakes, so we have some collateral form to work with.

"Some of the top milers around ran in that race and he was too far out of his ground, but he still ran on well in the closing stages.

"We will hopefully start him off at Newmarket and then take his season from there."

The long time plan is the summer cup,the race that Archie won last year.

Imbongi: vastly underrated performer.

3.25 Newmarket Mike De Kock has proved himself over here in no uncertain terms and he can have another winning raid with IMBONGI, who should be given most to do by Dream Eater. The selection was sixth, beaten less than two lengths in Sha Tin's Champions Mile last time out a couple of months ago. He has largely kept Group 1 and Group 2 company in recent times and drops back in grade here, which should make things less competitive for him. Good ground suits and there is perhaps a little concern about it being quicker than that, but he should still have the class to score. Dream Eater was well held by Paco Boy in the Queen Anne but he is a classy sort who will be much more competitive in this sphere and will not be far away. Winker Watson has failed to convince when trained on this year and in spite of conditions and trip being ideal he has a bit to prove. Court Masterpiece would have a good chance if able to recapture some of his old form and although he ran nicely in his comeback from a two year lay-off he will need to show more to win this. Al Qasi remains competitive at this level but does tend to find winning difficult and Imbongi is the one to be on here.

Thanks for the update Hibby always good to have an SA interest.
They are showing on tellytrack

Imbongi is fav at around 5/2 all the best to the connections.

Imbongi`s form is by far good enough to win this,just got to worry that this race is not his main aim?

They must be reading the site, gone 3/1 lol

Brilliant win great price well done to SA and the connections.

I went in 3 times, at 9/2, 6 and 9-1, I couldnt believe the price!

Congrats MKD, Shezi and team!

They might just consider the team is the real deal and shorten JJ?

See home page!

SOUTH AFRICAN raider Imbongi defied a stumble at the start to record a comfortable victory in the Criterion Stakes for trainer Mike De Kock and jockey Kevin Shea.

The trainer-jockey combination were showing a £26.50 profit to a £1 level-stake when teaming up in Britain, but that wasn't enough to convince the betting public as Imbongi drifted violently to 8-1, having opened at 7-2 joint favourite.

Godolphin runner Huntdown finished second under Ted Durcan and Balthazaar's Gift third under Ian Mongan.

Shea said: "He came out on his nose but he recovered well.

"He ran a good race and it's very exciting. He's won two Guineas in South Africa but his last race was against a very strong field.

"He's a very versatile horse, but I'd have to leave that (his next assignment) to the boss."