Empress Club Stakes looks a real thriller
Visitors Silvan Star and Gimme Six add spice to field.
GOING THE DISTANCE. Cash Time has shown staying ability in his races so far and might relish the 2450m of the SA Derby to be run on May 5. Picture: JC Photographics
Runners from the stables of Sean Tarry and Mike de Kock dominate the eld for Saturday’s R1-million HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600m on the Turffontein Standside track.
A very strong field of fillies and mares will line up for this Grade 1 race in which De Kock saddles Nother Russia, Cascapedia, Orchid Island and Fish River. Tarry’s quartet comprises Safe Harbour, Tahini, Heaps Of Fun and Simply Royal but there is sure to be a lot support for the two visiting runners, Silvan Star and Gimme Six.
Both runners have been on the Highveld for a while and contested a Pinnacle Stakes at the Vaal over 1450m on the Classic track last month. Silvan Star, trained by Glen Kotzen, easily beat Gimme Six from the Justin Snaith yard by 0.90 lengths with Nother Russia 1.50 lengths further back in third. They met at level weights on that occasion and will do so again on Saturday.
However, Nother Russia needed the run and showed her wellbeing in her next start when she got within a neck of Legal Eagle in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m.
Also on the card are two Maiden Plates with massive prize money of R250,000 each. Both are run over 1400m and one is speci cally for fillies and mares.
In another move to ensure the charitable tone of the day, the Racing Association has kindly agreed to donate the entry fees for this event to the Highveld Horsecare Unit.
Unfortunately the Princess is not able to attend this year due to prior commitments but sent her good wishes.
There is an entrance fee of R50 per person but children under 12 are free, while kids over 12 can come in for half price.
There will be a “diamond drop” again this year with only a 1000 tickets up for sale at R150 each.
There are tables available in the Centenary Room at R280 a head which includes entrance fee and a three-course buffet.
Contact Candice Langley on candicel@phumelela.com or call her on 076 791 4733.
Final field for the R1-million HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes (Grade 1) over 1600m
1 – 1 NOTHER RUSSIA (M F de Kock) C Zack- ey 60.0 – 112
2 – 11 CASCAPEDIA (M F de Kock) C Murray 60.0 – 109
3 – 3 SILVAN STAR (G S Kotzen) R Fourie 60.0 – 108
4 – 10 GIMME SIX (S J Snaith) P Strydom 60.0 – 107
5 – 13 ORCHID ISLAND (M F de Kock) M Yeni 60.0 – 107
6 – 9 SAFE HARBOUR (S G Tarry) L Hewit- son 60.0 – 107
1067 – 4 TAHINI (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 60.0 –
8 – 2 HEAPS OF FUN (S G Tarry) D Schwarz 60.0 – 105
9 – 12 SHE’S A GIVER (J J van Vuuren) R Si- mons 60.0 – 104
10 – 6 AL DANZA (G V Woodru ) C Maujean 60.0 – 101
11 – 7 SIMPLY ROYAL (S G Tarry) R Daniel- son 60.0 – 101
12 – 5 FOLK DANCE (P A Peter) K de Melo 57.5 – 103
13 – 8 FISH RIVER (M F de Kock) R Munger 57.5 – 102
Same Trainer: (1,2,5,13) (6,7,8,11)
