Just over two years after a career peak victory in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint, former Equus Champion Sprinter Rio Querari found his best finish under a cucumber-cool Richard Fourie to win the inaugural open sex renewal of the R250 000 Gr3 Champagne Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday.
With feature successes in three different provinces over three glorious days, Fourie is riding with an overload of confidence and the star jockey produced the 6yo gelding with an air of near nonchalance to stave off the challenges of his younger enthusiastic stablemate We’re Jamming and the recent Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes winner, Bereave.
Richard Fourie drives Rio Querari through to win smoothly (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In a close finish, where only a quarter length separated the top three, Rio Querari (4-1) probably gave the Snaith team one of their more satisfying feature successes this term, holding the young gun We’re Jamming (10-1) by 0,20 lengths in a time of 73,02 secs.
The fabulous Querari’s top lot at the 2018 CTS Ready To Run Sale, the Normandy Stud consigned Rio Querari was knocked down to John Freeman for R625 000 after a breathtaking gallop. On Monday he took his earnings to R2 163 613 at his 26th start. He has won 7 races with 15 places.
The story of Rio Querari dates back to Normandy matriarch Veronica Foulkes’ purchase of the unraced Northern Guest mare, Nordic Vine, a little over 22 years ago.
Rio Querari’s dam, the unraced Windrush mare Arctic Breeze is an own sister to the fine sprinters Rushing Wind and Nordic Breeze. The former, a winner of the Gr3 Matchem Stakes, was runner-up in both the Gr1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint and Cape Flying Championship while Nordic Breeze won the Gr3 Champagne Stakes.
Third dam Montrachet, a Foveros own sister to ill-fated Guineas victress Yquem, was a stakes-winning sprinter and also features as the grandam of Wynkelder, who twice reached the frame in the Gr2 Post Merchants.
Watch the race replay here:
The quality of the field and the finish of the 2023 Gr3 Champagne Stakes has surely vindicated the decision to bring it forward to the month of April and open the 1200m race to male and female contenders.
