EMPENOSO Henn showed his class with a gutsy win at Turffontein on New Year’s Eve and Ice Trigger opened the stable’s 2012 account, winning his Maiden on New Year’s Day at Greyville.

Jockey Derrick David kept Empenoso Henn (13-2, headline photo) going over 1450m, a distance short of his best and said: “He quickened well when I asked him, but I could feel him running out of steam over the last 150m and he just held on. Thanks to Mr De Kock for the opportunity.”

Assistant trainer John Buckler said of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s gelding: “Empenoso Henn needed the run today so this was a good win from him. He has niggles so we have to back off him from time to time.”

Ice Trigger (Anthony Delpech) on his way to a 3.75-length win at Greyville.

Ice Trigger had shown good improvement in a 2000m race at Greyville on 13 December, running on for second, and he showed that he’d come on even more when winning easily over the same course and distance on Sunday.

Ice Trigger didn’t beat much, but there was a lot to like about the way he kicked clear of his rivals when jockey Anthony Delpech stepped on the pedal.  Delpech confirmed that this son of Western Winter is one for the notebook.  Ice Trigger is a full-brother to stakes performers Ice Cube and Jagged Ice and he’s owned by Mike and Norma Rattray from Lammerskraal Stud.