Kauto The Roc

Kauto The Roc put up an encouraging enough display in a Pertemps qualifier at Huntingdon last Wednesday before he got tired on the holding ground. Up 8lb higher for his Kempton win, (having been dropped 1lb after his previous run at Warwick when falling while still in the mix four out) he travelled well before moving up a little down the back straight but then just seemed to tire. Choc Thornton was easy enough on him afterwards, not wanting to bottom him in this stamina sapping ground.

He is not one to give up on after this; he was still in the mix on his previous run at Warwick when he came down, in a good race in which Mobaasher and Alfie Spinner fought out the finish, and both have enhanced the form since, and that may just have taken more out of him that it seemed as the ground was desperate that day. He has been much improved this term, he probably just needed time to strengthen up and mature. He won a two-and-a-half mile Fontwell novice hurdle on his second start back before taking advantage of a mark of 112 to win a handicap upped to three miles at Kempton on his subsequent run. At this stage it is unclear what his optimum conditions are; he appeared to stay the three miles well at Kempton and was beaten here before the extra two furlongs became an issue. He is related to Kauto Star (his dam is a half-sister to Kauto’s dam) and, while he doesn’t have the ability of his illustrious relative, he should be able to win more races in his own right and is possibly one for the Pertemps Final if he is able to bounce back from this, although he may have to win again before then to guarantee his place in that contest.

26th January 2011