Princess Charlene to attend Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes

Racing Editor

AS expected runners from the stables of champion trainer Sean Tarry and Mike de Kock dominate the entries for the R1-million HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes (Grade 1) over 1 600m at Turffontein on Saturday, April 22.

The running of this year’s race will be a royal affair at Turffontein Racecourse with the news that HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco will be in attendance at the Johannesburg track.

Her support of the raceday means a number of charities are set to benefit among those the Red Cross, Highveld Horse Care Unit and Gugu Lesizwe Primary School.

“I look forward to once again attending a racemeeting at the historic Turffontein Racecourse and of course continuing the support of a number of worthy causes,” Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene says of her involvement on the day.

“To have the horseracing community rally behind this will be amazing and being able to play a part in restoring some of the glamour back into the sport is also special.”

Princess Charlene was a special guest at the same venue back in 2012 when featuring at the Charity Mile meeting which is held annually every November.

Tarry has nominated five runners including threeyear-old Safe Harbour who at 106, has the highest merit rating of the 19 entries. She put up an improved performance when narrowly beaten by Orchid Island in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Classic over 1 800m. She is likely to prefer this 1600m and having drawn at No 7 will have plenty fans if she runs.

Tarry has also entered Intergalactic, Trophy Wife, Tahini and Heaps Of Fun.

De Kock has nominated three runners, including Nother Russia, three-yearold Al Hawraa and The Centenary, who is likely to find this trip a touch sharp.

Cape Town-based trainer Justin Snaith has entered Star Express who narrowly beaten by Nightingale in the Grade 1 Klawervlei Paddock Stakes on Sun Met day. She has not raced since then but would be a massive contender if she runs.

Fort Ember has been taking on the boys of late and performed well and Paul Peter’s runner has also got the advantage of jumping from No 1 draw.

Supplementary entries close at 0900 on Thursday with declarations by 1100 on Tuesday, April 18.