In-form mare Princess Rhaenys scored a narrow victory in the Listed Tattersall's Gold Crown (2143m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday as the well-related daughter of Iffraaj scored a richly-deserved maiden stakes success.
The Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old was sent out a well-supported $1.80 favourite with Blake Shinn in the saddle and despite not appreciating the slowly-run contest, was always within striking distance to wear down Deny Knowledge, who set the tempo.
Sporting the colours of Linda and Graham Huddy’s Peachester Lodge, Princess Rhaenys has now won six of her 26 starts, with a further nine placings, including a Group Three placing in the Pam O’Neill Stakes (1600m).
Gollan was relieved to see the full sister to Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) hero Jon Snow land a black-type success as she advanced her career prizemoney to A$584,150.
“She’s so much better when she can get a more genuinely run race where she can really relax and get off the bridle and finish off,” Gollan said.
“You could see early on that wasn’t going to be the case. She stepped really well and they just took an eternity to cross her.
“I was really worried in the run to be perfectly honest, I like her better when she can get smothered up and relaxed and that never happened.
“I was always worried about the leader (Deny Knowledge). When we eventually got her down it was a good result for the tam.
“She raced out of her best pattern unfortunately, but Blake summed it up well, he had no other option but to just get her to settle as good as he could. It’s great having these great jockeys like Blake Shinn on board, they get the job done for you.”
By Iffraaj out of the O’Reilly mare Orinda, Princess Rhaenys was bred by the Hong Kong Breeders Club at Highview Stud. – NZ Racing Desk
