It was mission fulfilled for Queen Supreme in the Cartier Paddock Stakes (G1) as she doubled up on last year’s romp in this prestigious WFA contest for fillies and mares at Kenilworth on Saturday, joining the likes of 21st century dual Paddock Stakes winners Beach Beauty and Oh Susanna.
Mike de Kock, who is always a major force when bringing entries to G1’s in Cape Town, described Queen Supreme as a quirky customer and was full of praise for his charge who really raised her game when it counted. She sat a perfect rail-hugging trip with jockey Keagan de Melo following the tactical insights conveyed by his brother -in- law to-be, Joburg jock, Callan Murray (who has previously partnered Queen Supreme to multiple victories) precisely.
Mike said: “It’s not easy to travel – sometimes we get lucky. Then first time from a wide gate on a new course in a field of this calibre. I’m sure Summer Pudding will be back,” he added.
Queen Supreme was purchased as a yearling at Goffs by Mayfair Speculators for €130 000. Mike acknowledged Markus Jooste as having been instrumental in the purchase of the winner – “We picked her up afterwards off a dispersal sale,” he added.
Bred by Thomas Hassett, Queen Supreme is a daughter Exceed And Excel out of the unraced Gone West mare Call Later,
She has now won 7 races with 5 places from 13 starts for stakes of R1 595 700 for part owners Mauritzfontein Stud (Jessica Slack), Larry Nestadt, Mike himself, JJ van der Linden and Noeline Malherbe.
