Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Consistent four-year-old Princess Katie notched her first metro-class success when she raced wide early and then in the breeze before defying a spirited late challenge from Hunt The Magic to go on and a narrow victory in the Vale Ed Dewar Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The win gave part-owner and trainer Michael Young a good reason to celebrate his 36TH birthday three days later.
“This was an easier race than she has been in for a while,” said Young. “And she showed that she is pretty tough.”
Princess Katie was a $4.60 chance from out wide at barrier seven, and she settled down at the rear before Gary Hall Jnr sent her forward with a sharp burst after about 400m. She then raced without cover, with Bettor Have Faith ($4.40) overracing in the lead.
Bettor Have Faith was always going to be a sitting shot after she had broken into a gallop in the score-up, forcing Shannon Suvaljko to urge her forward to make up about six or seven lengths of lost ground.
Princess Katie got to the front with 400m to travel and then had to fight off a strong and persistent challenge from $20 chance Hunt The Magic, who was last before starting a three-wide move 700m from home.
Hunt The Magic and Princess Katie were locked together in a fierce duel in the home straight, with Hunt The Magic looking the likely winner after getting her nose in front in the closing stages. However, Princess Katie fought on in grand style to win by a nose, rating 1.56.8 after final quarters of 29.6sec. and 29.2sec.
“She is quite tough,” said Hall. “I thought that the other horse (Hunt The Magic) had her for the fair bit of the last 400m. Princess Katie was brave to kick back and win. Sometimes when they get passed, they are reluctant to fight back.”
Princess Katie has now earned $90,433 from seven wins and 12 placings from 40 starts. She is by former star pacer Vincent and is the first foal out of Rocknroll Dreams, who raced 21 times for two wins, six placings and $18,121.