Neil Bruss won the Queen Palm Stakes, now downgraded from Listed to non-black type, for the second year in succession on Saturday at Greyville and this time it was with the Ideal World four-year-old filly Zante, who was bred by Mauritzfontein’s assistant stud manager Nigel Page.

Bruss did the one-two as Zante beat last year’s winner Deputy Ryder by six lengths. The Joey Ramsden-trained Grey Light was third.

After original jockey Weichong Marwing had been booked off, Anton Marcus had seemed a bit reluctant to be substitute, according to Bruss, as he had questioned whether Zante would stay the 2400m trip.

However, after Bruss had replied, “If you take her to the front she will go around twice,” Marcus had then agreed to take the ride.

Marcus put the advice into action after his initial attempt to hold Zante up behind the leaders had seen her racing a touch keen. She then bowled along into a six length lead and showed no signs of stopping in the straight.

Both Zante and Deputy Ryder will be aimed at the Gr 2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m on Super Saturday.

David Thiselton