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
Cavalry Girl eyes Moir Stakes repeat of history
History favours Cavalry Girl as she prepares to extend her winning sequence in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.Since the Moir Stakes was rescheduled to an early September date in 2024, both subsequent champions, Baraqiel and Mornington Glory, had achieved victory in the Carlyon Stakes (1000m) beforehand.Cavalry Girl captured the Carlyon...
Sandown Stakes race sees Maher fillies renew rivalry
The Ciaron Maher stable recently secured a top four finish in a maiden race held at Sandown.Two of the horses from that race are now set to compete in a Stakes race at Sandown, aiming to continue the successful run for the Maher stable.Saintly Dancer and Ghana's Akan, who finished...
Thebudgiesmugla seeks to maintain perfect distance record
A prominent contender in metropolitan races, Thebudgiesmugla has an impeccable record of five wins from five starts over 2400 metres and is aiming to extend this streak to six in the Drinkwise Cup at Randwick.This six-year-old gelding was one of the notable performers of the off-season, achieving victory in three...
Blind Raise commences Caulfield Guineas pursuit at Sandown
The connections of Blind Raise harbour aspirations for the colt to be a prominent contender in upcoming spring features, with his campaign set to commence at Sandown.The colt is slated to run in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m) on Saturday, a race that could potentially lead to a Group 1...
Green Spaces on track for spring success after Derby win
Despite being the early favourite for the Caulfield Cup and expected to excel at longer distances, jockey Rachel King believes Green Spaces has the potential to surprise in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick.The Australian Derby winner showed a good late surge when finishing eighth in the Winx Stakes (1400m) last...
Edmonds confident Extragalactic is primed for Moir Stakes
The journey for Group 1 honours for Extragalactic begins this Saturday in the $750,000 Moir Stakes at Sandown.Trainer Trent Edmonds, based in Pakenham, is set to unveil the four-year-old mare for the first time since her narrow defeat by a nose to Desert Lightning in The Goodwood, a 1000-metre weight-for-age...
Spring ambitions kick-off at Sandown for Zambardo
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable holds considerable expectations for Zambardo, while also conceding the horse must reach new heights.With nominations for both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, Zambardo commences his campaign in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday.Zambardo is a lightly raced...
El Castello's Tramway Stakes bid begins with a clean slate
John Thompson expresses satisfaction in commencing El Castello's latest racing campaign with a fresh perspective, maintaining a quiet confidence that the Group 1 victor still possesses untapped talent.The path for the connections of the five-year-old has presented considerable challenges. He distinguished himself as a standout performer of his era by...
Amenable looks to end winless streak in Chautauqua Stakes
Amenable is aiming to break a considerable drought without a win as he makes his debut for Grahame Begg at Sandown.The gelding, previously trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, is set to compete in the Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes over 1300 metres on Saturday, having been sidelined for...
Geegees Mistruth readies for Group 1 Moir Stakes challenge
The Mark Walker stable is looking forward to the Moir Stakes at Sandown, with Geegees Mistruth set to make her mark.This 1000-metre Group 1 event is being staged at Sandown this year due to ongoing track renovations and a reconfiguration at Moonee Valley.A competitive field of 13 runners is slated...