Prom Queen dazzles in Northland Breeders’ Stakes
PROM Queen has lived up to expectations on Saturday when winning the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes at Ruakaka.
The three-year-old filly came into the race with six wins from seven starts, but it faced its toughest test to date by taking on some smart colts. Once again, the smart filly showed why it’s the big firmer for the 1000 Guineas by scoring another effortless win.
The daughter of Singapore champion Super Easy sat outside leader Not Usual Heart before taking over midway down the home straight and showing its customary turn-of-foot.
Punters expected the win at odds of $1.45 with Sportsbet.com.au, but the smaller-framed filly still had plenty to prove on the big stage and it came through with flying colours.
Co-trainer Kenny Rae, who scored his third winner of the day, said he felt less pressure on this occasion and he did last start at on its home track.
“I was less nervous than what I was last time,” Rae said. “Last time she had no more to prove to me and what other people have to say, I don’t care.”
Prom Queen hasn’t been without its doubters, but it quickly silence any doubts punters had about the classy three-year-old which appears to have talent good enough to cross the Tasman.
“I’ve had knockers off and on, saying she won’t go further, she won’t do this, won’t do that,” Rae explained. “How many times does a horse have to prove itself?”
The win was the biggest stake ($70,000) collected by Prom Queen and Rae, who frequently travels his horses down south, is happy win a win no matter where it comes.
“That was great. I like to win any races, whether it’s here or the West Coast,” Rae said. “It’s just a marvel of a horse, it’s a freak of a horse.
“She’s just got the attitude. I heard Chris Waller saying one day that horses need speed and attitude, well bloody hell, she’s got 200 percent of both.”
Rae hasn’t made up his mind about where Prom Queen will run next, but the 1000 Guineas ($9 into $6) looks the ultimate target for the classy three-year-old.
“Maybe the Soliloquy Stakes, or Ashburton, it depends on the weather,” he said. “I have no ambitions to run on a wet track… I might have to make a late dash to Ashburton.
“I want to have a short at the 1000 Guineas. I might be wrong, but if I’m wrong she’s won seven from nine so who cares?
“If she gets the distance, she’s better off against her own age and sex.”