The hopes and dreams of a number of WSB Met Day Pick 6 players were left blowing in the south-easter that swept across Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when Gauteng visitor Desert Miracle found her winning form again to topple local star Captain’s Ransom in the R1 million Schweppes Gr1 Majorca Stakes.
With the R1 million carryover-boosted exotic pool reaching R10 291 322, over 8 million combinations went south with the world’s hopes resting on the Snaith star.
Desert Miracle storms home under Christophe Soumillon to beat the hot fancy Captain’s Ransom (Richard Fourie) down the outside rail (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Set for her third straight victory in the prestigious mile, Captain’s Ransom faced only five opponents after probably scaring off much of the rest, but she had no answers for a scintillating performance by French Champion jockey Christophe Soumillon on De Kock visitor Desert Miracle, who showed none of her respiratory issues that have plagued her career.
After being settled five lengths off the pace set by Chansonette and Silver Darling, Desert Miracle unwound up the straight as the sextet ducked for the sheep track up the outside. While Captain’s Ransom was given every chance by Richard Fourie, she had no answer to the beautifully-bred visitor, who bounded clear to give Soumillon a double.
Clocking 99,56 secs for the mile, Desert Miracle (11-2) beat the 4-10 Captain’s Ransom by 1,25 lengths, with Golden Hostess (25-1) a further 1,25 lengths back in third.
Christophe Soumillon and Mike de Kock clearly enjoy winning Gr1’s! (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
It was Desert Miracle’s first win since her success in the Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes in October 2021.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, Desert Miracle is a daughter of late champion Dynasty (Fort Wood) and out of the seven time winning Oasis Dream mare, Welwitschia.
Now a winner of 5 races with 9 places from 14 starts, Desert Miracle took her stakes earnings to R1 463 250.
With owner and breeder Mary Slck on course, Mike de Kock reminisced about the days of old in Dubai with Soumillon and assistant Trevor Brown, amongst some other of the old faithful, on the stage for the winner’s celebration pic.
