Prom Queen reigns supreme
PROM Queen knows how to capture the limelight.
She did it again on her home track of Ruakaka on Saturday for her enthusiastic group of local owners like she’s done six times previously.
The diminutive filly by Super Easy is the apple of co-trainer Kenny Rae’s eye and he’s willing to bet she’s got plenty more to offer.
Rae trains the flying machine in partnership with his wife Lisa and daughter Krystel Williams and she was ridden to perfection by Alysha Collett in her Group III Northland Breeders Stakes win
Collett had her cruising along outside pacemaker Not Usual Heart and while her main opposition tried to make ground, Prom Queen was off and gone.
The Tony Pike-trained pair Aim Smart and Felton Road were second and third respectively with the third horse the hard luck story.
Jockey Leith Innes settled Felton Road last, and on a day when on speed was the place to be, he was running into traffic problems as he tried to lodge his challenge.
There will plenty more to come from the placed horses but all honours were with the winner who boosted her earnings beyond $150,000.
It is a great return on a horse Rae, also a part-owner, took on lease sight unseen as a yearling from breeding farm Windsor Park Stud.
‘‘She’s a freak of a horse,’’ Rae said. ‘‘She’s got the attitude.’’
Rae hopes her latest win will silence the knockers who question what the brave galloper has done.
‘‘They say she won’t go further or do this and that,’’ he said. ‘‘How many times does a horse have to win to prove herself.’’
Rae and his owners are proud of their girl.
‘‘What other people think I don’t really care,’’ he said.
They will chase the ultimate goal for a 3-year-old filly, the 1,000 Guineas at Riccarton in November with an attractive $300,000 stake as her main immediate goal.
What she does meantime will exclude wet tracks and she will go ‘‘where the weather is best’’.
She was the crowning glory in a day to behold for her trainers who had earlier wins with Inanna and Kaharau.
The Group III New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton is a likely spring target for Kaharau, while Inanna is nominated alongside Prom Queen for the 1000 Guineas.
A bunch of multi bets went down the tubes when short-priced favourite Hiflyer was beaten in the open 1200.
Ronchi from the Bruce Wallace and Allan Peard stable led throughout and was too good for Hiflyer who got home from last.
Jockey Grant Cooksley knew what he had under him and the $17 shot was travelling sweetly all the way.
Hiflyer’s trainer Peter Lock was happy with the run and will aim the son of Tavistock at the Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on October 28.
He may take on the Listed sprint at Hastings beforehand where he is likely to face Ronchi.
IT was tough going at Awapuni on Saturday but class shone through in the Listed Metric Mile.
The day’s $70,000 feature showcased the ability of the find of central districts racing Dolcetto.
The Sylvia Kay-trained and co-owned gelding has been a revelation in his current campaign which began back in May at Awapuni in a Rating 75 race over 1200m.
He won that day ridden by Samantha Collett and she hasn’t let him out of her sights winning four subsequent starts culminating in his biggest test on Saturday.
It was his black-type debut but he proved way too good to take his earnings beyond $150,000 from seven wins achieved in just 10 starts.
His veteran trainer was in awe of the 5-year-old.
‘‘I’m absolutely thrilled,’’ the astute horsewoman said. ‘‘I thought he was absolutely brilliant today.
‘‘It’s been hard, he’s had sore feet with all the wet tracks we’ve had but he’s overcome that and has been working well.’’
Kay will catch her breath before deciding on her next move.
‘‘I’ll get over today and well go from there.’’
Chasing Dolcetto home was Authentic Paddy, who went his trademark honest race with Rosewood running an outstanding third in her open class debut. Favourite Francaletta appeared to find the conditions and step to 1550m too much.