LADY DI and PRINCESS KREKA pleased well enough in a trial at Pukekohe Thursday trials to justify their place as contenders for the Young Guns series which starts for the fillies next week while QUEEN OF TROY and SOPHIE ARDEN are on track showing out in a Learner’s Heat on the same programme.
Three of the fillies are by Captain Treacherous and race for prominent Purdon patrons and the fourth,Princess Kreka, by Bettor’s Delight.
Lady Di, handled by Mark, rated the most impressive running second in 2.01.5 home in 57.8 and 27.8 after settling at the back of the four horse heat. She is raced by her breeders Braeden and Caroline Whitelock who retained her for that purpose and they also race Queen of Troy,from a daughter of Under Cover Lover.
Princess Kreka, less experienced that some, soldiered on well over the closing stages given the smart sectionals and looks a prospect.She is a sister to Solid Gold who took a 1.51.4 mark in the US and is raced by a Steve Byrne/Steve Thompson based syndicate.
Sophie Arden to be raced as may be guessed by John Stiven with Purdon Racing is from the top filly Rock ‘n Roll Arden.
Coal Fire, winner of the first Young Guns male heat for the stable last week,had five days off and will be reserved for a later heat so the juvenile team is away to smooth start.
PANTANI is the only stable runner Friday and Nathan is confident of a bold showing.He missed a run last week butit was a mild setback.
“He just bumped a leg and we couldn’t work him for a couple of days leading up so we had to scratch. His work on Wednesday was tops”
It is a race well spread on the ratings and penalty free for junior drivers.
“The backmarker (Lord Popinjay a R84 performer) is obviously a threat and it seems Castana has not had much luck but it is a field he can handle if he is on his game.” Nathan said.
Father and son had a visit to some northern vendors where Mark evaluated Nathan’s short list to a shorter list but there were no great surprises. They visit Woodlands Stud on Friday.
“One or two had not progressed as much as I had hoped since I saw them six weeks ago so unless there is improvement between now and the sale the list will be pruned again. But there are plenty to choose from”
PIC: Champion filly Princess Tiffany looking to make her mark at stud with Lady Di