Scone mare Queens it over Highway rivals
Ineligible for the Kosciuszko, Lonhro’s Queen will instead be given a chance to earn a Country Championships berth after claiming her second successive Highway Handicap win.
Originally trained in Sydney, the Gooree Stud-owned mare is now with Scone trainer Cameron Crockett, but she doesn’t qualify for this year’s The Kosciuszko (1200m) as she hasn’t been in his care for the required 12-month period.
Instead, Crockett will look to give her a spell before stepping her up in journey next preparation with the goal of testing her credentials for the Country Championships Final (1400m) during the Sydney autumn carnival.
“It would have been nice if she was eligible for The Kosciuszko,” Crockett said.
“When Gooree gave her to me they just wanted me to try and win a maiden with her then she would go to the breeding barn. But they also said if she looks like a horse that can train on, she would be a racing prospect.
“We will put her out now, the timing is right. If she can run 1400 metres, we will aim at Tamworth (Country Championships Qualifier).
“If she can’t run 1400 then we will find something else. She has a lot of ability so there will be plenty of options.”
Lonhro’s Queen has won four of her five starts since joining Crockett’s stable, culminating in her fast-finishing Highway Handicap (1200m) victory at Rosehill on Saturday.
Jason Collett has been aboard for the past two and says given Lonhro’s Queen has been strong at the finish of both and is still lightly raced, she deserves a chance to extend her brilliance.
“That seemed to be a strongly run 1200 and she was strongest late,” Collett said.
“She has been tried over further but that was early in her career. You’d definitely have a crack at it.
“I don’t see why she wouldn’t run 1400.”
Lonhro’s Queen ($5.50) took a while to wind up but motored late to reel in Super Norwest ($17) by a half-length with Cool Storm ($13) a head away third.
Crockett has been closely involved with the family of Lonhro’s Queen having broken in her dam, three-time stakes winner Queen Of The Hill.
More Racing News
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...