The Ken and Lisa Rae and Krystal Williams-trained filly ran third in that March race, the only time the speedster has been beaten.
Prom Queen is making the possibility of another career defeat look a long way off, going by the dynamic start she has made to her 3yr-old season.
On Saturday, the daughter of Super Easy scored a career-best win in the group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes [1200m] at Ruakaka, taking her record to seven wins from eight starts.
Rider Alysha Collett positioned Prom Queen outside the leader before letting her down in the straight for a comfortable 2-length victory. Her performance as the $1.40 favourite had Ken Rae labelling Prom Queen a freak.
"This is marvellous," he said.
"She’s had her knockers off and on, saying she won’t go any further, but how many times does a horse have to win to prove herself.?"
The weather will be the No1 thing on Rae’s mind as he guides Prom Queen towards the New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.
"It will depend on the weather. I don’t want to run her on a heavy track and I still want to have a go at the 1000 Guineas."
"Maybe she won’t get the mile [1600m]. We’ll see. Rae will therefore be monitoring the state of the Ellerslie track as the Soliliquay Stakes [1400m, October 28] approaches as well as the Ashburton track should they target another listed race there. Prom Queen sealed a winning treble for the training combination, who also prepared Kaharau and Inanna to win.
Like Prom Queen, Inanna is also nominated for the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.
"She’s a lovely filly."
"I’ve got her in just in case Prom Queen doesn’t look like she’ll get the mile," Rae said.
- Jonny Turner
