Boom filly Prom Queen brings her big reputation and ability to fire off fast furlongs to Ashburton tomorrow for a final race before next month’s One Thousand Guineas at Riccarton.
She returns with an even bigger reputation than when she last set foot in the South Island, leading bookmakers to open her a $1.60 favourite for tomorrow’s group 3 3yr-old feature over 1400m.
Prom Queen steps up in distance to 1400m for the first time in the race, but that is not the primary concern for Ken Rae, who trains the horse in partnership with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter Lisa Williams. Rae is confident his speedy filly will see out a strong 1400m, but is more concerned about her lack of recent racing.
"The only doubt is that she hasn’t raced for a month, but she is only little, so I don’t think it will make much difference," he said.
"There will be no excuses, though — she travelled down well and trained well [yesterday] morning, so no complaints."
The timing of Prom Queen’s last event before the One Thousand Guineas is down to the recent fickle North Island weather.
"The reason she is here is because I was going to go to the Soliloquy Stakes next week, but if it gets wet at Ellerslie, it would be a disaster."
Rae has a healthy respect for the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained colt Sensei, who resumed with a stylish win at Timaru last weekend.
Being beaten by Sensei would be no disgrace but if Prom Queen was beaten by a filly ahead of her start in the One Thousand Guineas, he would be more concerned, Rae said. Her female rivals tomorrow include the Pitman-trained Savvy Coup, Kiwi Ida and Greenpark Gem.
Prom Queen would have clashed with star Wingatui filly The Precious One in the race but the latter has been ruled out of spring racing with injury. Prom Queen will be ridden by Samantha Collett, who replaces her regular rider, Alysha Collet, who was suspended at last week’s Timaru meeting.
Senior South Island rider Chris Johnson is also suspended after two incidents at the same meeting and will not return to the saddle until October 28. The Rae and Williams stable also lines up Kaharau in race 3 tomorrow.
The horse has been training well and is ready to produce a strong effort after a pipe opener over 1400m on his home track at Ruakaka last start, Rae said.
Of their four other runners — Augustace, Indy Evolution, Sensibility and Sharp Proposition — only Sensibility is guaranteed a start in race 10, as the others have all landed on the ballot.
Wingatui apprentice Corey Campbell has been tasked with guiding two of his employer’s star horses. Trainers Brian and Shane Anderton have engaged their 4kg-claiming rider to partner Coulee in race 6, tomorrow’s open sprint, and Patrick Erin in race 9, the 1600m Ashburton Cup.
Patrick Erin caught the eye with a big late finish in his first run for the season at Gore behind Passito, with Campbell aboard.
The Raise The Flag 6yr-old will clash with group 1 performer Signify and his longtime sparring partner Batman in her race.
Coulee comes into the race fresh up since last season, as does race rival Kinagat, who also opens his 6yr-old season.
- Jonny Turner
