Odds stacked in favour of Dave The King

For anyone looking past Dave The King for winner of the Allied Steelrode On A Mission Charity Mile, there's plenty of value to be had in the ante-post betting.

- Mike Moon

The reigning Equus Horse of the Year has been pegged at 3/1 in a fairly quiet market for the R1-million Grade 2 event at Turffontein on Saturday.

Of course, few would argue that trainer Mike de Kock's charge does not have the record to justify his elevated place on the bookmakers' boards, but horse racing is nothing if not a trampler of reputation.

Over the years, the Charity Mile, positioned early on the Highveld feature race calendar before many top runners have settled into their campaigns, has thrown up a few surprises.

And Dave The King fits that slightly underdone profile.