HER Serene Highness, Princess Charlene of Monaco (on headline photo with Diane de Kock, right), had an opportunity to rub shoulders with the South African racing fraternity, a number of celebrities and their represented charities on Charity Mile Day at Turffontein, Saturday.

The likeable Princess Charlene, a special guest at this popular Phumelela race day, handed over the winning trophies after the Gr2 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile, won by Dubai Royal, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s up-and-coming four-year-old Mujaarib.

The colt by Nadeem scooped this major trophy in only his fourth visit to the racetrack – his talent still not fully tapped after four straight wins from as many starts.

Mujaarib (Glen Hatt, right), surged up late to pip Whiteline Fever (left). (JC Photos)

Mujaarib will be a firm favourite in the run-up to next month’s Gr 1 Summer Cup – Johannesburg’s flagship race that Mike de Kock has won more times than his website is able to report with a reasonable measure of accuracy this morning after an uproarious night in the ‘Fun Box’.

In whichever way the Summer Cup pans out, Mujaarib is likely to give his followers a nailbiting run to the wire on the day. He’s done it a few times now and, so much so that commentator Clyde Basel described the Charity Mile runner-up Whiteline Fever as, “a winner every inch of the way!”

Every inch, of course, but the inch that matters right on the line, where the big-hearted Mujaarib stormed up from several lengths out of his ground to secure the winner’s purse by a short head from  Sean Tarry’s runner.

The Sheikh’s colt likes to win – and he doesn’t seem to give a continental about the class of the opposition – from the Maiden ranks to a Grade 2 success in less than six months – Mujaarib will be expected to come to the party once more when he takes on his toughest rivals to date in next month’s Turffontein premiere.

“Mujaarib was the unkown quantity in the race, but he rose to the occasion and we’re very pleased,” enthused Mike de Kock afterwards.  Known for leaving a few lengths in the tank for the ultimate quests, Mike said: “It’s not really a question of how much fitter or stripped Mujaarib will be on Summer Cup day, it’s a question of how much he will improve in the next  few weeks. He hasn’t stopped improving!” 

Every inch counted in the Charity Mile.

Mike revealed that Mujaarib was somewhat lucky ever to see a racetrack. The colt, bred in Australia -and imported to train in South Africa, was constantly unsound as a three-year-old. “He was very problematic, so much so that we considered retiring him unraced. But he trotted on the treadmill for a long time and he started coming into himself, he matured into his physique and he’s a different horse today. He was well handicapped and the runner-up was gallant, but the result’s up!

Glen Hatt, who picked up a winning  ride for the stable on Silver Flyer in the Dingaans last year, was quick to answer the call for Mujaarib for the Charity Mile, keeping his strike rate high. “Mujaarib’s a big baby, he’s green and he got lost around the bend, but then he put his head down and gave it to me. Ooh.. he is a nice horse, he gives me a good feel!

Mike said that he would consider jockey arrangements for the Summer Cup in due course, but hinted that “Fat Hatt”had a chance of retaining the mount. “I guess it will make sense to leave Glen on, but we’ll finalise plans later. Mujaarib will be well in at the weights again, I don’t think the handicapper  will make serious adjustments.”

The stable also took third place in the ‘Mile’ with Meadow Magic, fourth with Silver Flyer and fifth with Silent Partner.

Kevin Shea, who has won three Summer Cups for Mike de Kock, commented: “This was a big run by Silver Flyer, I’d love to be on him in the big race.”

Stable jockey Anthony Delpech  – unplaced on Link Man in the Charity Mile, will be hoping the dice falls his way when the riders are declared.  The Summer Cup is the one of the few major races he hasn’t won for Mike – it will be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Mike thanked Sheikh Hamdan and his bloodstock manager Angus Gold for their support of the stable, and of course South African racing – a pleasure indeed to see those oh-so-famous blue-and-white silks on our racetracks!

Festival Of  Fire (Derreck David, far side), ran on strongly to win well.

Lady O’Reilly and Chris Saunders shared some of the day’s spoils when their progressive filly Festival Of Fire gave weight and a hiding to her rivals in the HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Starling Stakes over 1400m.

Jockey Derreck David saved her run for late – Festival Of Fire came to the outside of the track for her finishing effort, reeled in the leaders to hit the front 100m from home and held off a spirited challenge from Gary Alexander’s import, Blueridge Mountain.

“She’s very good,” said David of the daughter of Kahal. “Thanks to the team for their support. It’s nice to win another big race, and Princess Charlene hails from Benoni, like me!”

Mike praised breeder Filly Bowles and said: “Filly has been breeding on the farm for many years, not always with the best of luck. This is a good filly, she is well related. We’ll be aiming her at the Cape Fillies Guineas.”

Emerald Approach (Delpech) completed the day in style, showing class and ability in Race 12 over 1600m, and leaving Mike excited. “This was the one horse I really fancied today. He’s smart, we’ll go for the Dingaans now, but he’ll go over further too.”

Mike described Charity Mile day as generally highly satisfactory, mentioning “big runs” from Tequila Sunrise, Welwitschia and Silver Flyer in addition to the hat-trick of wins.

“Link Man was the disappointment today but we know he is a horse with issues. I’m not sure what happened, we’ll have to check him out. He seems to go wrong when he races over a mile, and he races best fresh.”

Mujaarib, represented by DJ Bailey Schneider, pocketed R100,000 for her nominated Charity, the Highveld Horse Care Unit, whose stalwart Bev Seabourne was delighted to receive the welcome windfall for her long-serving, Henley-based horse recovery farm. The charity cheque couldn’t have gone to a more worthy organisation.

Emerald Approach (Anthony Delpech), Dingaans prospect.