Princess to pay tribute to Drew at Caulfield

Brad Waters - Tuesday August 29

Princess Of Queens could provide an emotional post-script to a sad occurrence if she can notch a win at Caulfield on Saturday.

Advertisement
Admired sports broadcaster Drew Morphett passed away last weekend. Photo: ABC

Karen and Drew Morphett are listed in the ownership of the mare, who will compete in the open mares' handicap (1400m) at Caulfield a week after the sudden passing of the latter, who was an outstanding sports broadcaster with the ABC and Channel 7 during a 40-year career.

The Morphetts are well known in racing through their spelling centre Cloverdale at Pakenham South with the operation including the Mick Price stable among many clients.

"I knew Drew through Kaz Morphett, who I have dealt with for over 20 years," Price said.

Princess Of Queens is a lightly-raced four-year-old mare with 10 starts to her name but the daughter of Magnus has posted a pair of city wins in a record that includes a last-start Sandown victory.

The win was in Benchmark 70 company but both the mare's performance and the ride of apprentice Chris Caserta impressed Price enough to warrant a test in open mares' grade on Saturday.

"I thought it was a good win and the kid rode her really well so I'll keep Chris Caserta on," Price said.

"He'll claim three (kilograms) and she just needs to draw a gate and have a bit of luck."

Price also nominated Princess Of Queens for a race in Adelaide on Saturday but decided that assignment would not suit the half-sister to Group III winner Prince Of Brooklyn.

The Caulfield trainer has also entered the promising Heavenly Descent for the mares' handicap in which she is set to resume after winning the last three runs of her previous campaign.

"She had a little injury in behind in her joint and had three months off and is coming back for the mile races," Price said.

"She has strengthened and is in good order. She is working like she wants a mile.

"If she's good enough, she's by Snitzel so she has got a little pedigree, if she can get some black type, that's what we would be aiming for to increase her value."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Debut Farnan Winner for Pencarrow Stud
Three-year-old filly Passiflora showed promise at the trials and transferred that potential into raceday success when scoring on debut in the NZ Horse Ambulance 970 at Cambridge on Wednesday.
Break Through Win for Promising Pierro Stayer
Placed in the Group I New Zealand Derby behind Willydoit, talented young stayer Golden Century has been long overdue to break through for a maiden win and he got the job done at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Karaka Graduates Honoured at New Zealand Horse of the Year Awards
The champions of New Zealand’s 2024-25 season were crowned during the Horse of the Year Awards in Hamilton on Sunday night, where four Karaka graduates were named the standouts of their respective categories.
Are You Sending a Mare to Cogburn?
Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded on Tuesday with the rise of exciting young sire Not This Time as a big player on the world stage well and truly illustrated with 22 of his yearlings selling at an average $805,682.
Another Impressive New Winner St Mark’s Basilica
A colt that holds entries for several upcoming Group races, Piazza San Marco became the 12th winner for Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (FR) when bolting in at Galway overnight.
I Am Invincible Stallion Chasing Black Type in NZ
Tardelli has the looks to match his rich pedigree, and his upcoming preparation will be focussed on adding a top level performance to boost his future stallion prospects.
Keeneland September Record Breaking Book 1 Concludes
Trade at Tuesday’s second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued the enthusiasm for Thoroughbred racing prospects shown during Monday’s opening day with nearly $75 million in sales and a September Sale record session average of $675,180 and median of $550,000. Twenty yearlings sold for $1 million or more to set a Day 2 session record. 
Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale-Topper Salutes
Bought by Yulong for $700,000 to top the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale last year, three year-old Justify (USA) colt Officiate opened his account with a determined win in testing conditions at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Promising Ole Kirk 3yo Regal Award Simply Too Good
Improving off a last start fifth behind Space Rider over 1200m at Moonee Valley, the Phillip Stokes trained Regal Award didn’t disappoint as the race favourite in Sportsbet BlackBook Plate (1300m) on the Sandown Hillside course on Wednesday, scoring with ease.
Trainers Rewarded with Continued NZB Ready to Run Series
With the continued long-term support of Majestic Horse Transport and Dunstan Horsefeeds, NZB is pleased to announce that the Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series will return for its sixth edition this season, kicking off on Saturday at two venues. ?