STABLE jockey Anthony Delpech made the trip to Turffontein on Saturday to ride unraced Majmu in the Listed Ruffian Stakes and already proven Banaadeer in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes, reports JACK MILNER in Racing Express.

Majmu had clearly been showing good work at home because she found plenty of support and went off 12-10 favourite. Her supporters must have had their hearts in their mouths when the gates opened because, in the words of Delpech, “she backed back and must have got left three to four lengths”. The only hope was that she was as good as Banaadeer, who had won by 8.25 lengths on debut the previous Saturday. And she was – if not even better.

Australian-bred Majmu slowly made up ground along the inside and with 200m to go, moved up to take the lead. She went on to beat Flame Cat, who looked a winner 400m out, by 1.25 lengths. Silent Rush got third, beaten another 3.50 lengths.

Anthony Delpech, hair-raising rides!

“Going through the 600m I just picked her up and I knew then that I was going to have them,” said Delpech. “She was looking for company so I allowed her to go out and in the end she was just looking at everything. I didn’t even have to smack her on the shoulder.

“She’s a special horse, she is really, really special. I actually haven’t sat on something like this for a really long time. She’s got a lot to learn but you’re going hear a lot about her.

“My hair stood up when she won!”

Some 40 min later Delpech was back in the No 1 box as Banaadeer, also an Australian-bred runner, cruised to a 3.25-lengths victory over fast-finishing Kiss Me Hardy. Third went to courageous filly Jo Malone, who tried to pace it out with Banaadeer but got left in his wake when Delpech pressed the button.

“All I wanted to do was come out of the gate okay because I know his ability,” said Delpech. “Once I came out I thought the race was won because I know how good he is. He’s got such a lovely temperament and I think that’s his asset.”

Asked which of the two he thought was better Delpech responded: “All I am hoping is that they don’t clash. It’s very hard to say. They are both special horses.”

Sheikh Hamdan’s hot run continued at Scottsville on Sunday when the De Kock yard saddled Mastermind in Race 2 over 1200m. This South African-bred son of Var opened at 7-10 but went off at 1-3. However, Delpech had to work quite hard to get him home.

“He’s very immature,” commented the jockey. “I thought he was going to go through them quite easily but then the second horse moved in and he ducked away. Once he hit the front I thought he was going to win easily but he decided he was going to stop. He put the brakes on.

“That was a hard ride. But this was his first time at the course so there is a lot of improvement to come.”