ALDERRY’s race record shows close third places in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 Fillies Classic, but not many form students gave the two-time winning daughter of Al Mufti a realistic chance of winning the Grade 2 R600 000 November Charity Mile over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.

But Mike de Kock and his team had Alderry at perhaps her best level of fitness ever and this proved to be the key to the outcome of the race.

Mathew and Diane de Kock approach the winner’s enclosure with Alderry (Anthony Delpech up).

She raced into the lead with 250m to run and drew away smartly, beating the workmanlike Thandolwami  by 2.25-lengths. The hard-trying Pierre Jourdan pipped Bulsara for third.

Mike said: “It’s hard to get Alderry fit and I had to race her three times in October. She’s talented and I think she has more to come. The 2000m of the Summer Cup might be stretching it a bit with her, but we might as well go for it!”

He thanked Bob Yearham of Emperors Palace for his sponsorship of the race.

Jockey Anthony Delpech, riding another copybook race, was delighted, commenting: “We’ve always known how good Alderry was, but she’s never reproduced her top form on track until today. This was an excellent win. I’d love to ride her again.”

Diane de Kock told: “Alderry has lots of courage. She had two colic operations when she was younger and to come back like this is wonderful. She needs extra special attention, because of her history with colic she can only eat a specific amount of food.”

Alderry is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum of Dubai, whose support of South African racing deserves to be recognized – only something at the highest level will do.

Alderry’s dam Derry Wood is based at Avontuur Stud and stud manager Pippa Mickleburgh said: “This is fabulous, I am so proud of Derry Wood and Mike de Kock is a real pro. Sheikh Mohammed bought the mare and Alderry from us after her half-brother Royal Vintage, by Rich Man’s Gold,  did so well in Dubai. We are privileged to be looking after her and her foals.”

See video section, home page. Refresh for Charity Mile.

Headline Photo: Diane de Kock receives the Charity Mile Trophy from Bib Yearham, CEO of Emperors Palace.