The Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred Zaakhira stamped herself as a SA Champions Season horse to be reckoned with when slamming a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies in impressive style over 1200m at the Vaal yesterday on her debut.

The Redoute’s Choice filly is out of a Royal Academy mare and after showed high cruising speed pulled clear to win by 7,5 lengths under Callan Murray, despite racing green and changing legs.

Matthew de Kock said, “I’m sure she will be taking her place at some point in Durban.”

She joins the like of Cloth Of Cloud, Exquisite Touch and her stable mate Fursa as Highveld fillies who could make a big impact on the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Scottsville’s Festival Of Speed meeting on June 4.

They will be up against the like of the Cape filly The Secret Is Out and KZN fillies like Mygirldownunder.

Interestingly, De Kock’s debut winner of the first race, the Australian-bred More Than Ready colt Act Of Loyalty, won his race under Weichong Marwing in a time 0,3 seconds quicker than Zaakhira and Marwing looked to still have some fuel reserves at the line.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Callan Murray