First Stakes Win for Makfi's Pop Star Princess

Media Release - Saturday May 15

Consistent sprinter Pop Star Princess secured her first black type success when she took out the Gr.3 Rydges Rotorua Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, courtesy of a daring ride by Jonathan Riddell.

Jonathan Riddell has Pop Star Princess travelling strongly on their way to winning the Gr.3 Rydges Rotorua Classic (1400m).  Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

The noted front-runner had disappointed just seven days ago at Te Rapa when fading badly after being annoyed throughout the 1200m journey when taking up her customary pacemaking role.

Riddell wouldn’t let that happen this time as he bounced the six-year-old mare to a clear lead from the starting gates and maintained a steady tempo that kept his race rivals at bay in the first half of the race.

With his main rivals making swooping runs to race into contention at the 400m, Riddell hugged the rails on Pop Star Princess who kicked hard and put up a three-length advantage. Although starting to weaken in the final 100m Pop Star Princess had enough in reserve to hold out race favourite Supreme Heights and the well fancied Katie Perrie to secure a gritty victory.

Co-trainer Fred Cornege, who prepares the Makfi mare with his wife Lindsay, was at home on the couch recovering from surgery during the week but found time to give some last-minute instructions that played their part in the victory.

“I couldn’t go to Rotorua as I had hernia surgery during the week, so my wife Lindsay was in charge,” he said.

“I guess when you are watching at home you can see a bit more about what is going on and with the kickback there was in the earlier races, I rang Lindsay and told her the best thing would be to hug the rail and try and sneak a break on the corner.

“When she is in the zone this mare is very tough to head and when she got the break, I thought she was going to be very hard to catch.

Advertisement

“They were pegging her back, but she still had something up her sleeve to hold them out.”

Cornege and his wife race Pop Star Princess on lease in conjunction with Sue and Pat Calnan, with Cornege resigned to farewelling his stable star at the end of the season.

“Our lease runs out at the end of this season so she will be going back to her owners then,” he said.

“Now she has shown she can handle the deeper tracks we will give her a week in the paddock and then get her ready for a race at Tauranga towards the end of next month.”

Cornege was referring to the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m) to be run at Tauranga on June 26.

Pop Star Princess is the second foal of stakes placed Pins mare Queen Of Pop, who also finished fourth in the 2010 Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m).

Pop Star Princess has now won nine of her 39 starts and over $243,000 in prizemoney. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Rotorua Stakes Gr3 1400m

Arawa Park Track: Heavy(11) Time: 1:29.94
1
Pop Star Princess
- 6m Makfi (GB) x Queen Of Pop (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: F & L Cornege Rdr: J K Riddell 57
2
1.8
Supreme Heights
- 5m Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Summer Heights (NZ) (Stark South (USA))
Tnr: M H Brosnan Rdr: L H Satherley 57
3
2.3
Katie Perrie
- 6m Rock 'n' Pop (AUS) x French Lion (AUS) (Lion Heart (USA))
Tnr: J C Collett Rdr: B R Jones 57
4
4.8
Cherry Lane
- 6m Redwood (GB) x Street Law (NZ) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: N P Bishara Rdr: T D Thornton 57
5
6.1
Can I Get An Amen
- 4m Hallowed Crown (AUS) x Brianna (NZ) (Sudurka (AUS))
Tnr: G Lowry & G Cullen Rdr: O P Bosson 57.5
6
8.1
Sweet Clementine
- 4m Sweet Orange (USA) x Wealth Star (NZ) (Senor Pete (USA))
Tnr: R D Collett Rdr: A J Calder 57
7
9.6
Sacred Option
- 3f Sacred Falls (NZ) x Suitely (AUS) (Woodman (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55
8
10.6
Midnite Invasion
- 5m Battle Paint (USA) x Midnite Rendezvous (NZ) (Cecconi (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K McQuade Rdr: S R Weatherley 57
9
13.6
Lubaya
- 6m Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Lioness (NZ) (Generous (IRE))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 57
10
14.6
Roc Cha
- 4m El Roca (AUS) x Cullcha (NZ) (Cullen (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: B D Rogerson 57
11
17.4
Torre Del Greco
- 6m Mettre En Jeu (NZ) x Jungle Pago (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: K T Myers Rdr: R T Elliot 57
12
18.9
Montana Mist
- 4m Per Incanto (USA) x Monarch (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: T L Newman 57
13
20.2
Crowning Star
- 4m Hallowed Crown (AUS) x Lets Have Some Fun (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: D S Johnson 57
More Reading...
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 2
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bred to Win Returns on Monday night
Caroline Searcy’s Bred To Win returns this Monday night profiling new and proven stallions heading into the Spring of 2025 and promoting the thoroughbred breeding industry in Australia and around the world.
Impressive New Winner at Goodwood for St Mark’s Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had a number of high profile yearlings sold at the European sales last year and one of them was a filly from Angelic Light that made 600,000 guineas at Tattersalls October Book 2.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 1
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Glorious Goodwood Day 3 – Flag Start Can’t Stop Wootton Bassett
The Group I Nassau Stakes (1m2f) for fillies and mares was the highlight on the third day of Glorious Goodwood and very nearly didn’t happen at all given the ‘biblical’ rain and a flag start for the five runners that braved the treacherous conditions.
Shooting to Win Relocating to Yarradale Stud
Yarradale Stud has purchased Group 1 racehorse and sire Shooting To Win to cover his first book at its Gidgegannup property this season.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.