TWO Australian-bred two-year-olds made winning debuts for Mike de Kock’s yard at the Vaal on Tuesday, both racing over the straight six furlongs on turf.
Act Of Loyalty (Weichong Marwing) had to work a bit for his neck victory over Le Tigre in Race 1 but he’s a colt that needs further and Mathew de Kock commented: “He was a bit soft, he did just enough to win and didn’t extend to win going away but he’s a nice horse and will come on from here.”
Markus and Ingrid Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators went to R2-million to secure Act Of Loyalty at the 2015 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale. He’s by More Than Ready from a mare by Perugino (USA).
Zaakhira gave Callan Murray an armchair ride in Race 2, the equivalent Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies. She skated home by seven lengths plus and her time was a split second faster than her male stablemate’s time half and hour earlier.
Zaakhira, by Redoute’s Choice, is a close relation of former European star sprinter Starspangledbanner, looks a high-class sort in the making and Mat confirmed: “She’ll probably go straight into a feature race.”
Zaakhira is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.