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.