PROMISING apprentice Craig Zackey rode his first winner for the stable when getting up in the closing strides aboard 25-1 shot Emerald Approach in a Maiden Plate over 1200m at Scottsville on Tuesday. Stablemate Presidio (3-1), was 1.25-lengths adrift in third.

Assistant trainer Nathan Kotzen congratulated Zackey and the partnership of owners, Mike de Kock, Larry Nestadt, Chubby Chandler, Lee Westwood and Sam Hackner and commented: “Emerald Approach hasn’t been showing us top work on sand at home, but he’s obviously better on grass. I think he will be effective over a bit more ground too.”

He said about Presidio: “He moved up smartly and looked a likely winner, but was run out of it late. He just needed it and is one to watch.”

Emerald Approach, raised at Wilgerbosdrift, is a son of Right Approach and 2003 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Emerald Beauty, who also won at handicap level in Dubai.