Sing Your Song was not the only filly to emerge from the Warwick Farm meeting on Wednesday with designs on the Darley Princess Series that leads to the Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) next month with Matthew Smith confident his filly Queen’s Gamble is also on that trajectory.
Queen’s Gamble was a dominant winner of a $100,000 Super Maiden at Warwick Farm last month in which she also picked up a $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus and was sent off as a hot favourite today in a Benchmark 72 event over 1400m.
Taking on older rivals including stakes-placed Samarelle, Queen’s Gamble pounced on the leaders with a furlong to run and raced clear for James McDonald to win by more than three lengths.
Her time was markedly quicker than Sing Your Sing recorded earlier in the day, read about her here.
“She was in a bit of an awkward spot I thought, but she just got out of it and quickened up and she lengthened away really well, like a nice filly,” said Matt Smith.
“I think we'll have to get onto that 3YO fillies series (Darley Fillies Series) now. We'll join in at the 1400m (G2 Tea Rose Stakes) in a couple of weeks' time.
“It looks like a mile will be right up her alley, so she'll be good. She's got that turn of foot and she's also got the cardio to run a mile, so I'm very happy.”
James McDonald was having his first ride on the filly and was well pleased.
“She does everything really well and has a lethal turn of foot, so it all bodes well for the future,” he said.
Queen’s Gamble was a modest $25,000 Inglis Classic purchase for her trainer from Widden Stud and runs for a big syndicate of stable clients, who have reason to celebrate tonight.
With two wins and three placings from five starts, Queen’ s Gamble has banked some $130,000 and change, plus her $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus.
Queen’s Gamble is the best of three winners from four foals to race from Gifted Queen, an unraced Zoustar mare from the family of Group I winner Ozzmosis and Group II winners Learning to Fly , Hips Don’t Lie and Splintex.
Gifted Queen had a colt last spring by Admire Mars (Jpn) and has foaled this spring producing a colt by Trapeze Artist.
Queen’s Gamble looks a bright prospect for Widden Stud’s value sire Anders, who stands for just $9,900 this spring.
