Glamour mare back on track
A strong closing effort by Own The Queen to take out her 1200m heat at Belmont trials this morning (Monday) has lifted the spirits of the glamour mare’s trainer, Justine Erkelens.
In her first official hit out since her autumn blitz earlier this year, Erkelens believes Own The Queen is back on track after a minor setback delayed her comeback to the races.
The Awesome Rock four-year-old has not raced since being unplaced in the WA Derby (2400m) in April, the only blip in what otherwise was a flawless campaign of racing.
Claiming five straight races, Own The Queen took out a Listed double in the Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) and Natasha Stakes (2200m), before proving her superiority in the G3 WA Oaks (2400m).
Erkelens, based at Muchea, has shrugged off any concerns over Own The Queen’s fitness, but admits she’s had to shelve Group 1 ambitions and readjust Ascot Pinnacle carnival aims for her stable star.
“We were going to aim for the Northerly (1800m), but she had a bit of a hiccup and a setback,” Erkelens told Racing WA.
“We now are going down to the fillies and mare’s path.
“The setback was nothing major, but she missed a couple of weeks.
“We are behind the eight ball for the Northerly.
“She’s only four, so she can run it next year.
“She’s only had seven starts and wasn’t ready for it
“There’s going to be nice races for her this prep.”
In a five-horse trial, Own The Queen, with regular rider, Troy Turner in the saddle, raced on the flanks of pacesetter Camorra before taking him on for the lead rounding the bend.
Own The Queen went to the line under her own steam and scored by 1.4 lengths from Camorra, the pair streaking ahead of their next competitor, Miss Santa Corrs, by seven lengths.
Erkelens was delighted with how Own The Queen recovered from her heat.
“She’s looking good to get to the races,” Erkelens said.
“She’s doing everything we’ve asked of her.
“She had a good hit out and pulled up good, heart rate spot on.
“I’ll see how she pulls up in the next couple of days.
“I might trial her again or go to a 1400m.
“I will let the next couple days to decide.”
More Racing News
Multiple race engagements for Signature Scent from Maher stable
The Ciaron Maher racing stable has presented three-year-old filly Signature Scent with a trio of potential races to add to her career record, including two Stakes events.Signature Scent holds nominations for the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and a Three-Year-Old Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield, alongside the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m)...
Beiwacht shows class in Warwick Farm trial for Waller
The highly-rated colt Beiwacht, a dual Group One victor, was a prominent figure in the initial trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, demonstrating impressive form to win the 900m heat.This son of Bivouac, belonging to Godolphin, made the transition from three-year-old races to open-age competition in the Autumn, adding the...
Cosmic Crusader set for Victorian debut in Bletchingly Stakes
Trainer Andrea Leek is yet to pinpoint the exact spring campaign for Cosmic Crusader, but she is anticipating his racecourse return this Saturday.The Group 1-winning Western Australian gelding is scheduled to make his Victorian racing debut in the $200,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes, a 1200m contest at Caulfield.This five-year-old entire,...
Randwick trials see Waller's stars return
A significant contingent of Chris Waller's established racehorses, prominently featuring the acclaimed mare Autumn Glow, commenced their spring preparations at Randwick on Monday morning.The initial three trials, all conducted over 900 metres on the Kensington track following a postponement from Friday due to wet conditions, showcased numerous Group 1 winners...
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...