South African trainer Mike de Kock is enjoying the ride of his life in Dubai this year and he’s going just as well back home with champion mare Mother Russia.
In February, de Kock won the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) and UAE Oaks (LR) with Australian bred gallopers Musir (Redoute’s Choice) and Raihana (Elusive Quality). He is mob-handed at Meydan again this Thursday (March 4) when the meeting is highlighted by the Al Maktoum Challenge (G2) and Dubai City Of Gold (G2).
Mother Russia kept the home fires burning for de Kock with a G1 victory in the Empress Club Stakes at Turffontein last weekend. Ridden by Anton Marcus, Mother Russia stalked the pace and then took charge when given her cue. It was her third G1 in 21 starts following the 2009 Majorca Stakes and 2010 Paddock Stakes.
Mother Russia (4m Windrush – Russian Muse by Russian Fox) is owned by Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud. She purchased the mare from Klawervlei Stud.
The Turffontein meeting was postponed 24 hours to Sunday and, among the other highlights, was the reappearance of unbeaten Australian bred filly Sidera in the G2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas.
Sidera (Galileo) started an even-money favourite but she dropped right out of contention to be beaten 9 lengths. There was something clearly amiss and local reports suggest she should be forgiven one disapointing run.
Fisani (Kahal) caused a $51 upset in the fillies feature when she defeated Australian bred Generous Anna (General Nediym) by a half length. The winner is trained by de Kock for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa who also owns stablemates Musir and Raihana.
The G2 Gauteng Guineas for colts and geldings looked an ideal race for Australian bred 3yo Galileo’s Galaxy. He is also by Galileo and, true to form, skipped clear in the straight only to be run down by Pierre Jourdan. The winner had beaten him with an identical finish in the Listed Tony Ruffel Stakes last month.
Galileo’s Galaxy stuck to the task all the way to the line. He is a useful sort and just bumped into a seriously good one on the day.