Brilliant win for Zells Kate in her debut on Prize Wilma
Zells Kate leading the field home
9 September 2016, Sao Paulo, Brazil ~ On Brazil’s National Independence Day on 7 September, the Jockey Club de São Paulo set up the first Triple Crown races for both colts and mares and fillies at Hipódromo de Cidade Jardim.
HARC – Zells Kate shines on Triple Crown Day at Jockey Club de São Paulo
Six Arabian mares lined up for Prize Wilma – HARC, in a 1,000 m distance run on turf. This is the famous straight at Hipódromo de Cidade Jardim.
At the start the maiden Zells Kate with Jeane Alves onboard took the lead followed by Cantiga VE followed in third by Adalja RACH. Then the pack of Maisa do Bagda (4ª), Guinevere RACH (5ª) and Blue Bonnet RACH (6ª) for 500 m settling into this position.
Zells Kate
At 300 m out Jeane Alves confidently urged Zells Kate (S W Zell x Zell Lady In Red (Zachzell) to the lead gaining ground with every stride and winning her debut by 10 ¼ lengths. Zells Kate was bred by Lynn Kitto.
Running from the back of the pack, Guinevere RACH took over second place with Cantiga VE finishing third. Maisa do Bagda (4th), Adalja RACH (5th) and Blue Bonnet RACH followed.
Almir Jose Ribeiro owner of Zells Kate watched the race by internet, and was enthusiastic about the win: “I believe it is as important as our victory that Arabian horses are now participating in the most important meetings on Brazilian turf. Day by day, Arabian Racing is growing in Brazil as it has done in the USA, Europe and the Middle East.”
Winning connections
Zells Kate‘s trainer Alexandre Garcia S. Correa, also making his debut in Arabian races said: “I am starting as an Arabian horse trainer. Honestly, I didn’t see many difference in training them from Thorughbreds. The only thing I’ve really noted was their running time. We need to understand their behavior and temperament. \The Arabian horse is very sweet, so this makes easier. I would like to thank Almir for this opportunity, as well as Rodrigo Schulze and Zells Kate that made a stunning first race. With luck we will have more Arabian Horses in my stable. I also have another mare owned by Almir that shows promise”
Jeane Alves won the title of Arabian horse Best Jockey in 2015, but this is her first win of the 2016 season.
Alves commented about her winning ride: “From the start I realized that Zells Kate would win as the others were being pushed and Zells Kate was running easily. It was a very easy win.”
Regarding the Arabian horse Best Jockey Award Alves said, “I am trying to win this title again as best Arabian horse Jockey. Unfortunately, the Arabian horses of Dr. Petrochinski that I rode last year left the race track. Almir, the new owner, has invited me to ride his horses and happily it was a terrific start and I give thanks to all the team”.
Zells Kate set the record: 1’05”707 for 1.000 meters on turf, very close to Arabian record of Rhondo RACH made 27 August 2015 on Prize Etap – HARC (1000mT): 1’05”288.
The next Arabian Race will be on September 24th.
~ translated from Brazilian report by Karolyne Loureiro