Mike de Kock underscored his sparkling record in the R1 million HSH Princess Charlene Gr1 Empress Club Stakes as his chestnut champion Nother Russia registered a terrific double in the mile feature to emulate her champion dam and showcase her lionhearted ability.
Craig Zackey has Nother Russia in full flight to beat Al Danza (Chase Maujean) in a great finish (Pic – JC Photos)
The multiple champion trainer saddled the winner’s star dam Mother Russia to win this race in 2010, as well as Europa Point (2012), Majmu (2015) and of course, Nother Russia in 2017.
On Saturday, De Kock brought a powerful four-pronged attack to the party – but almost saw his well-laid plans derailed by a clever ride by Chase Maujean on the Geoff Woodruff runner, Al Danza.
The grey She’s A Giver carted them along at a moderate gallop, ahead of Al Danza with Nother Russia relaxed further back in running.
At the 500m marker, Maujean made his move and went past the tiring She’s A Giver as Al Danza grabbed a few lengths on Nother Russia.
With Al Danza running powerfully inside the 250m, Nother Russia appeared to momentarily hit a flat spot, before gathering herself for a final surge which took her past Al Danza and victory by just under a half length in a time of 98,94 secs.
Al Danza, who started at 55-1, ran a sterling race to stay on ahead of Cape challenger Silvan Star – not disgraced just 1,70 lengths off the winner.
Folk Dance again showed a lack of spark in the finish but managed a decent enough fourth.
Craig Zackey – confident ride
The Mauritzfontein- Wilgerbosdrift-sponsored Craig Zackey confirmed the anxiety felt by the master De Kock in the latter stages of the straight.
“It was a good ride by Chase Maujean. Al Danza appear to have skipped at the right time and Chase made it harder than I expected. But Nother Russia loves a scrap and she went on strongly to fetch her.”
Mike de Kock said that Nother Russia had showed her class and calibre again.
Mike de Kock – great win
“The good ones always seem to come through. I’m not convinced about the July for her – we will probably go for the R4 million Gr1 Premier’s Champion’s Challenge from here,” he added.
Jessica Slack was on course and said that having the ‘whole team on track’ made it a more special occasion.
“And I’m so thankful to Mike and his team for looking after her so well. And of course to Mum for breeding such a champion,” she said.
Nother Russia was an inspired purchase by Form Bloodstock on behalf of Jessica Slack for R550 000 off the National Yearling Sale.
She took her stakes earnings on Saturday to R2 690 875 and was registering her 8th win with 8 places from 17 starts – in a rare show of loyalty, Craig Zackey has been aboard at all of those!
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The winner was bred by Wilgerbosdrift by the deceased Tiger Ridge out of the champion Windrush racemare, Mother Russia.
The latter, who raced in the Klawervlei silks when originally trained by Joey Ramsden, won 13 of her 27 starts. She was bought in training by Mary Slack as a broodmare prospect and transferred to Mike de Kock – whereafter she added 3 further Gr1’s to her sparkling total of 4 Gr1 successes – which included a rare fairer sex score in the prestigious 2011 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
Now for a mouth-watering return match with Legal Eagle in the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge – over 400m further – on Champions Day, 5 May!
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Gr1 Empress Club Stakes (SAf-Gr1)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 21, R1 million, 1600m, turf, good, 1.38.94
1 – NOTHER RUSSIA (SAF), 60.0, ch m 5, Tiger Ridge (USA) – Mother Russia (SAF) by Windrush (USA). Owner Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Miss J B Slack); Breeder Wilgerbosdrift; trainer MF de Kock; jockey C Zackey
2 – Al Danza (SAF), 60.0, b f 4, Captain Al (SAF) – Jet Danza (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
3 – Silvan Star (SAF), 60.0, b m 5, Silvano (GER) – Bold Choice (SAF) by Lecture (USA)
Margins: 0.40, 1.30, 0.60
