ORCHID Island, a beaten favourite on her 1200m debut in September, made amends for owner/breeder Mary Slack with a fine Maiden win over 1600m at Turffontein on Thursday, ridden by Slack’s retained jockey, Anthony Delpech.

Orchid Island, set to continue family trends.

Mike de Kock believes Orchid Island is a promising sort who should go on to better things – more than that, he said, training this bay daughter of Silvano and Ilha Grande gives him personal pleasure.

Mike said: “Orchid Island is a grand-daughter of Ilha Da Vitoria, the little grey mare that was such a star in our stable,winning the 2005 Summer Cup. It feels like just the other day she stood in her stable here in our main barn. We’ve already trained her daughters Ilha Grande (Orchid Island’s dam), Ilha Bela and Santa Carolina, all good fillies, and this offspring looks like she will win races too.

“Training families, members of families one after the other, gives me great satisfaction. Thanks to Mary and Wilgerbosdrift for their ongoing support.”