The Wilgerbosdrift bred pair of Sugar Girl and Nother Russia scored impressive victories at Kenilworth and Turffontein respectively yesterday.
Sugar Girl, originally named Lara Yara, made a sparkling debut when winning first time out over 1200m for trainer Dean Kannemeyer and owners Khaya Stables.
The top lot sold at the 2016 National Yearling Sale when knocked down for R2 500 000, Sugar Girl romped home to score by two lengths going away and she looks a promising sort in the making.
A daughter of champion sire Trippi, Sugar Girl is out of ill-fated Listed Oaks Trial winner Ilha Grande, herself a daughter of Tiger Ridge and Horse Of The Year Ilha Da Vitoria.
Sugar Girl is a half-sister to last season’s G1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic winner Orchid Island (by Silvano), who made a pleasing return to racing last night. Orchid Island finished a close up fourth in the G3 Victory Moon Stakes for trainer Mike de Kock and Wilgerbosdrift, while making her first racecourse appearance in five months.
Nother Russia, the only foal produced by Equus Champion and G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Mother Russia, is another who looks on track for a big season ahead. Owned by Mauritzfontein, and trained, like her dam, by Mike de Kock, Nother Russia showed her class when beating a star studded field of fillies and mares in a pinnacle stakes over 1400m.
Ridden by Craig Zackey, who has built up such a rapport with her, the five-year-old Tiger Ridge mare made it win number six, from just 11 outings, with a good half length win over a trip short of her best.
The winner of last season’s G1 Princess Charlene Of Monaco Empress Club Stakes and G3 Acacia Handicap, Nother Russia could now be aimed at the G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge before embarking on a Cape campaign.
Thursday night’s win pushed the chestnut’s earnings to over R1.4 million and Nother Russia looks set for another great season ahead.