Justin Snaith has some important Vodacom Durban July business on his hands on the East Coast in a week from now. The Cape Champion enjoyed a terrific dress rehearsal at his Kenilworth home base on Saturday, winning the first three races on the card, including a feature double.
Richard Fourie shared in the feature celebrations and as he had done on Pomp And Power in the Langerman a half hour earlier, registered the hat-trick on Maria Querol in the R85 000 Tabonline.co.za Listed Irridescence Stakes.
Richard Fourie guides Maria Querol to an easy victory (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The 1500m fairer sex feature was a clinical walk in the park for the Maine Chance & Coolmore bred daughter of Querari and a mirror of the earlier feature.
Fourie stalked the pacemaker Treasure Hunt all the way round and confidently pounced at the 300m marker on the 4-1 joint topweight.
Despite a game late challenge from recent maiden winner Amanzimtoti (7-2), it was race over and the Zaki Podcast banker was home as Maria Querol drew off to win easily by 3,25 lengths in a time of 100,41 secs.
The favourite Santa Maria (3-1) stayed on without threatening in third.
The winner races in a partnership of Braam van Huyssteen and former KR Director Greg Bortz, who is also a partner in the Langerman winner.
Justin Snaith and his team lead Richard Fourie & Maria Querol in with part owner Greg Bortz (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Bred by Maine Chance & Coolmore, Maria Querol was a R225 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale buy. She is by Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the twice winning Dynasty mare, Maria Theresa.
This was her first black-type success and Maria Querol took her stakes earning to R138 150 with her third win and 1 place from five starts.
