Wilgerbosdrift/Mauritzfontein bred filly Meryl made a devastating impression when downing some promising 2yo fillies and landing the Listed Devon Air Stakes on Saturday. Owned by Rachel Slack in partnership with Mauritzfontein, Meryl made it two wins from just three outings when flying up late to deny promising filly Sequined victory by half a length in the 1400m contest.
Meryl, who was superbly ridden by Wilgerbosdrift sponsored hoop Anthony Delpech, fairly motored home to win the Devon Air and hopefully she can build on her first black type win. Trained by Dean Kannemeyer, Meryl had won second time out nicely, when scoring over 1400m on the polytrack at her previous outing.
She is the second stakes winner for her deceased sire Tiger Ridge this season, with the son of Storm Cat’s other notable representative in 2016-2017 including G1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes winner Nother Russia. Tiger Ridge is also broodmare sire of 2017 G1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic winner Orchid Island.
Meryl, bred on the same cross as G1 winners Cherry On The Top and Noah From Goa, is the first stakes winner produced by Fort Wood’s four time winning and G3 Diana Stakes third Rose Lipped Maiden. The latter is closely related to Fort Wood’s great champion Dynasty, the sire of Saturday’s G2 Tibouchina Stakes winner Just Sensual.