Mike de Kock said he had a few sleepless nights earlier this week, wondering if he had done the right thing entering Desert Miracle for the G3 Graham Beck Stakes against the colts at Turffontein on Saturday.
To make more butterflies churn, favourite after favourite got ‘rolled’ earlier on the Allrode Steel Onamission Mike day, but Desert Miracle (4-10) put it all together with a riveting 4.75-length win, never coming fully off the bit.
Mike commented: “As I said, we had to race Desert Miracle here to see whether she’d be able to go where we think she can go. We had to put her to the test and she came through it with flying colours. We are really pleased for (owner) Mary (Slack) to have a good filly like this, at the time of 4Racing being established. It’s a wonderful story, really, with her having bred Desert Miracle’s sire, importing Desert Miracle’s dam and breeding her at Wilgerbosdrift.”
Mary Slack: “Very, very exciting!”
Jockey Gavin Lerena said: “She enjoyed the pace today, it was a true reflection of her ability. She was cantering at the 400, and she put them away nicely.”
Mary was beaming from ear to ear and said: “I’m very, very excited, can hardly speak. It doesn’t matter if you have a favourite or an outsider, it’s completely nerve-wracking!”
Desert Miracle is by Dynasty from Welwitschia, by Desert Oasis. A winner of 4 races with 2 places from 6 starts, she took her stakes bank to R483 750.
Fillies Guineas next!
