Blinkers to bring out best in Pop Star Princess
Lady Luck didn’t ride with Pop Star Princess last time out and a gear change may be instrumental in turning her fortunes around at Waipa on Wednesday.
The promising three-year-old will take on her own age group in the Timmo’s ITM, Te Awamutu 1150m off the back off an unplaced effort in the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
“You can just forget that run, it was the first time in all her trials and races that she didn’t race in or near the lead,” part-owner and trainer Fred Cornege said.
“She got pushed from pillar to post.”
Pop Star Princess had won one of her previous three starts, including a defeat at Rotorua of Short Fuse, who finished runner-up behind Power Dream in a competitive race at Te Rapa last Saturday.
“This will be the final run of her preparation,” Cornege said.
“If she had raced well in the Breeders’ Stakes she wouldn’t be starting, but I didn’t want to turn her out after that.
“We’ll give her one more with the blinkers on to get her confidence back – they don’t become a poor horse on one run.”
Meanwhile, Matamata trainer Kylie Fawcett is also hoping for a form turnaround from Ricky Baker in the Paper Plus, Te Awamutu 1150m.
“I was a bit perplexed after his run at Te Rapa, but he didn’t like the kick back,” she said.
“He trialled really well the other day and hopefully he can sit in behind them and then get out into the clear air.”
Ricky Baker has won two of his four starts and finished third in an open 1000m heat at Te Teko toward the end of last month.