Forgiving trainer eyeing Queensland options
Kenny Rae has admitted he was close to pulling the pin on Prom Queen’s Queensland campaign after her Te Rapa performance.
The Ruakaka horseman was initially downhearted by the multiple black type winner’s unplaced last- start effort in the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), but was forgiving when he fully analysed the race.
“I was disappointed, I thought she was right for the race, and afterwards I threw my toys out of the cot and was going to scrap going,” said Rae, who trains in partnership with his wife Lisa and their daughter Krystal.
Prom Queen finished toward the rear of the field after racing three wide without cover from an outside gate.
“Alysha (Collett) said she got knocked sideways, but I thought she was battling when that happened,” Rae said. “The filly lost a plate, but she did pull up well and after I read the stipes’ report you could forgive her.”
They reported Prom Queen was crowded at the start, forced inwards at the 1100m and had to steady, then raced three wide without cover and was unbalanced when bumped in the straight.
“She’s going to run in a A$75,000 for three-year-olds over 1200m at Doomben on May 19,” Rae said. “There’s plenty of options and if she’s going well she could run in the Tatts Tiara, but we don’t have to take on the best and there’s a lot of other races for her.”
Hardy stayer Kaharau has also made the trip and he will step out in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday week.
“We’ll see how he goes, there’s the Ipswich and Caloundra Cups for him, and he deserves his chance,” Rae said.
“Hopefully, he won’t get topweight. It’s getting hard for him and he defied the odds at Ellerslie when he won the Nathan’s Memorial with 60kg, I didn’t think he could win that.”
Also in Rae’s travelling party is the Eamon Green-owned Patsys Lass, who will open her campaign at the Sunshine Coast on May 13.