Craig Zackey returned from a week out of the saddle to produce a gem of a ride and win the R150 000 World Sports Betting Listed Stormsvlei Stakes run over 1800m on the Kenilworth winter course on Saturday on the Querari filly, Maria Querol.
The Snaith Racing Team have certainly turned the corner both at home and away after a quiet spell, and saddled their third winner of the nippy Cape Southern Suburbs afternoon.
Craig Zackey (spotted cap) ranges up wide on Maria Querol as Smanga Khumalo punches Fleeting out (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Maria Querol (10-1), trying the 1800m for the first time, dictated matters for much of the trip, and despite being overtaken briefly about 300m out, came right back under a determined Craig Zackey ride to gain a short head victory over 7-1 shot Fleeting in a time of 114,09 secs.
Under a length covered the top four home in the small field.
The winner’s stablemate Peut Etre Moi (11-2) was 0,30 lengths back in third, with the 9-10 favourite Going Up a half length further in arrears in fourth after appearing to have every chance.
“This was a gutsy win. She has a few issues with her knee and it causes her to hang out. They headed us about the 300m, but she dug down well. She enjoys the sting out the ground,” added Zackey.
Jonathan Snaith said that they have been waiting for the wet with Maria Querol.
“We were bullish today – the trip was naturally a concern but she came through well. I’m really pleased for Greg Bortz who is on his way back from the States, and then it’s great to have Braam van Huyssteen’s silks back in the number 1 box. Hopefully he will start buying horses again!” he added.
Bred by Maine Chance & Coolmore, Maria Querol was a R225 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale buy. She is by Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the twice winning Dynasty mare, Maria Theresa.
A winner of 4 races with 4 places from 11 starts for stakes of R271 400, this was Maria Querol’s first victory since scoring an easy win in the Listed Irridescence Stakes in June last year.
The third and final leg of the fairer sex series is the R150,000 Listed River Jetez Stakes run over 2400m at Kenilworth on Saturday 25 June 2022.
