Triple Tiara is Desert Miracle’s next target

Desert Miracle, trainer Mike de Kock’s star filly, is being aimed at the Triple Tiara in Joburg – following her surprise defeat in the Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth at the weekend.

De Kock said he had discussed Desert Miracle’s future campaign with owner Mary Slack and the Tiara races – the Gauteng Fillies Guineas, the Fillies Classic and the SA Oaks – were agreed upon.

On his website the conditioner commented on the filly’s performance in Cape Town, where she went down a head to Chansonette in the 1600m classic.

“Travelling to the Cape is never easy. Desert Miracle had her head up at the start, she was green first time at Kenilworth and just appeared to shirk for a moment when Gavin Lerena changed his stick at the 200m mark, factors which may have cost her the race.

“But that should not detract from the merits of the winner. Chansonette was always going to be a danger, we mentioned this in our Friday preview, and she beat us fair and square on the day. I want to congratulate trainer Andre Nel on his first Grade 1 winner, this is a big moment for him, well done also to Plattner racing. This is another feather in the cap for Chansonette’s sire, Vercingetorix.”

De Kock checked on Desert Miracle just before his departure back to Johannesburg on Sunday and reported: “She pulled up really well, she looks superb.”

Desert Miracle will make her own trip back to her Randjesfontein stable this week, reported mikedekockracing.com.

The Triple Tiara first leg, the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, is due to be run at Turffontein on 5 February – which would rule out Desert Miracle returning to Cape Town for the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes, which might have been her logical next assignment.