Princess aims to emulate Oh Susanna

When Oh Susanna took the laurels in the Cape Town Met in 2018, she became the first three-year-old filly to win.

Tomorrow, trainer Adam Marcus will be looking to emulate that feat when Princess Calla runs in the 2 000m race at Kenilworth.

Marcus chose to sidestep the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes for fillies and mares over 1 600m and instead take on some of the best in the country.

“We entered her in the Majorca Stakes, but she drew No 20 of the 22 nominations,” he said.

“We were still going to run her there but in the 1 800m Paddock Stakes, she was only gaining momentum late, so it was pointless bringing her back to 1 600m.”

Princess Calla finished third in the Paddock Stakes but produced the fastest 400m-to-finKock. ish time and ran a 2.30-length third to Queen Supreme, just a short head behind second-placed Clouds Unfold.

“[She] was beaten by Captain’s Ransom in the Cape Fillies Guineas over 1 600m and it looked unlikely we would turn that around, especially from a wide draw.

“So running her in the Met was logical,” he said.

He had seen improvement recently.

“She may be a three year old but she is a physically strong, well-built filly. The only concern is whether she is mentally tough enough.

“She’s the type of horse who will improve as she matures. Even from her last race, I feel she has mentally improved two lengths.

“She deserves to run in the Met,” he said.

Marcus could not be happier with her preparation.

“It’s been absolutely perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Princess Calla comes into the Met with just 51.5kg and that did give her connections pause about finding the right jockey.

“We decided to start with the best lightweight jockey in the country, so I called Grant van Niekerk.

“He said he didn’t have anything definite and would let me know. The next day he called me back to confirm.

“I am delighted to have him on Princess Calla. He’s a top rider, is riding with a lot of confidence and adds an extra two lengths to any horse’s form.”

Marcus knows that if Princes Calla wins the Met, she will get a massive merit rating increase which will restrict her to weight-for-age races, but “wouldn’t be worried”.

She will have proved her ability and it would certainly add to her stud value.

“I’m confident of a big run,” he concluded.