Trainer Dean Kannemeyer and his longstanding staunch patron Lady Christine Laidlaw of Khaya Stables celebrated a welcome return to the feature race winner’s podium. Their beautiful Var filly Delta Queen proved too strong for her ten rivals to win the Capetown Noir Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery at an unseasonally wet and gloomy Kenilworth on Saturday.
It was an emotional occasion for the classic team as the race was sponsored by Khaya Stables champion racer Capetown Noir, a Summerhill stallion, who has produced his share of winners.
Retired veteran Karl Neisius handed out the trophies to an elated winning team, that included Avontuur GM, Pippa Mickleburgh.
Lady Christine Laidlaw leads in Delta Queen and Keagan de Melo (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
After her impressive debut victory over 1100m a fortnight earlier, Delta Queen was always at the top of the boards and Keagan de Melo used her natural high cruising speed as she led Miss Generosity for much of the trip.
The opposition converged at the 300m, as Candice Bass-Robinson’s maiden Fiftyshadesdarker emerged to chase the leader.
But like a class horse, the leader changed gears late and Delta Queen (27-20) upped the ante as she drew clear to hold Fiftyshadesdarker (14-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 73,31 secs.
Delta Queen storms home in the rain (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Snaith pair of Stuck On You (26-10) and Favorita (12-1) rounded off the quartet.
An emotional Kannemeyer said that he always felt she was a ‘class filly’.
“She has lots of natural speed and found another gear. I think she has a bright future ahead of her. Well done to Lady Christine, who also sponsored the race. And to my team and Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock. I have never been one to chase my 2yo’s early. But she has shown us she could be ready for bigger things.”
A R2 million purchase, Delta Queen was bred by Avontuur from their perennial powerhouse Var (Forest Wildcat)and is out of Jet Master star River Jetez, a full-sister to Triple Horse Of The Year Pocket Power, whose victories included both the 2010 Gr1 J&B Met and Dubai’s Balanchine Stakes.
Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh and owner Lady Christine Laidlaw talk to Stan Elley at the winner’s presentation (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Lady Christine Laidlaw said that she was thrilled to be back on the winner’s podium and that she had loved the goodlooking Delta Queen from day one.
Delta Queen is undefeated in two starts and took her earnings to R171 875.
Delta Queen’s Silvano half-brother will be an attention grabber at the National Yearling Sale in April!
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Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, February 22, R200k, 1200m, turf, good, 1.13.31
1 – DELTA QUEEN (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Var (USA) – River Jetez (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF). Owner Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd; Breeder Avontuur and CA & Mrs Amm; trainer D Kannemeyer; jockey K De Melo
2 – Fiftyshadesdarker (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Play Nice (SAF) by Captain Al (SAF)
3 – Stuck On You (SAF), 60.0, ch f 2, What A Winter (SAF) – Pine Valley (SAF) by Right Approach (GB)
Margins: 0.75, 1.00, 0.50
