Dazzling maiden win by Pop Star Princess

Pop Star Princess. PIC: Race Images.

Promising three-year-old Pop Star Princess backed up her stunning debut performance at Matamata recently by breaking her maiden status with ease at Rotorua on the weekend.

The Makfi filly had impressed many when she fought on determinedly for second at Matamata behind the well performed Contessa Vanessa in an open three-year-old contest, in the process beating home Group One winner Age Of Fire.

Trainer Fred Cornege didn’t hesitate to tackle a similar event on Saturday and although once again facing a field of race winners, Pop Star Princess would not be denied as she dealt to her rivals with a bold front-running display.

Expertly handled by Lynsey Satherley, Pop Star Princess set up a moderate tempo in front before being asked to quicken approaching the home turn. Hotly challenged in the run home by Matamata filly Short Fuse, Pop Star Princess fought strongly to the line to score by half a length with Beauden running on nicely for third.

Satherley was full of praise for the performance and is predicting there is plenty more in store for the filly.

“She’s still quite raw but she’s a good filly,” she said.

“We didn’t go overly hard but turning for home I gave her a kick and she just went boom.

“She’s got that angry little tartiness thing going on and that makes them good.”

The victory was mission accomplished for Cornege as he looks to step his charge up to stakes company next month.

“It was a good ride by Lynsey,” he said.

“When jockeys of her calibre get on a good horse they can show their ability.

“This filly doesn’t pull, she relaxes and can sprint off a solid pace which I think is the sign of a good horse.

“There is another similar three-year-old race in a couple of weeks but hopefully now we have enough points to get into the Cambridge Breeders Stakes.”

The Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders Stakes (1200m) will be held at Te Rapa on 28 April.

Pop Star Princess is the second foal of stakes placed Pins mare, Queen Of Pop. The filly was a $4,000 purchase from the Blandford Lodge draft at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale.

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