VISITING international jockey Tom Queally put his team’s first points on the board in the first leg of the Jockeys International against South Africa at Turffontein on Friday night with an impressive win on owner Mary Slack’s Europa Point, 33-10 favouritie.

Like last time, Europa Point had to contend with the widest of draws and that she won well again, three lengths clear at the wire, shows that the Rock Of Gibraltar mare is still improving.

Said Irishman Queally, badly out of breath on the humid Highveld evening: “I’m pleased to get off to a good start like this in South Africa. It’s hot out there and I felt it in my chest. I haven’t ridden for a week. Europe Point is a strong mare. She tries hard, she needs a little bit further but got to the front when it mattered.”

Europa Point (Queally), easy winner.

Mike de Kock commented: “It’s nice to be helping the overseas boys along a bit and this race had quite an Irish outcome. Europa Point is a half-sister to the Irish-bred Harbour Watch, the good sort in the UK. We got in early and secured her before the pedigree was established.

“Europa Point will get her black type, she does prefer a longer distance like Tom says and she also likes some cut in the ground.  He rode a great race and well done to Mary on her double tonight.”

Gorongosa (Delpech), holds on gamely from S’Il Vous Plait.

Slack’s five-year-old Montjeu mare, Gorongosa (Anthony Delpech), had earlier beaten the promising gelding S’Il Vous Plait in a MR85 Handicap over 2450m.

The Wilgerbosdrift Stud owner led in both her winners and said: “I am thrilled!”

The International Team was 34 points clear after the Turffontein leg of this contest,  Team Captain Richard Hughes bagging a double for trainer Mike Azzie.

Headline photo: Mary Slack poses for a post-race photo with Mike de Kock and Tom Queally. (Photos by JC Photos).