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...
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 16
Here is the full list of 118 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vain Stakes Success For I Am Invincible Colt Jimmy Recard
Bennett Racing appear to have another potential topline colt in their ownership as I Am Invincible colt Jimmy Recard records his third consecutive win, taking out the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
More Success for Pierro's War Eternal
Accomplished galloper War Eternal scored the fifth win of his career and took his earnings past A$750,000 with a determined victory in Saturday’s Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.
Pride And Proven - Private Eye Wins The G2 PB Lawrence Stakes
Taking his earnings past $12.3m for connections with his thirteenth career win, and seventh at black type level, Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride’s gallant war-horse Private Eye (Al Maher) recorded and easy watch victory in the Gr2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.
Tajana Makes Brilliant Return in Breeders’ Stakes
The Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) has often been the one that got away for Shaune Ritchie, but Tajana’s superb first-up performance at Ruakaka on Saturday has the Cambridge trainer dreaming of a breakthrough in the Riccarton classic.
Skyhook Asserts Authority In Rosebud Victory
Arguably one of the leading 2yo colts last season with victory in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, Written Tycoon’s Skyhook resumed with a significant weight impost to win the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday.
Another Promising Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) will be parading at Coolmore next Sunday and the champion son of Siyouni is warming to the task of siring winners with Venetian Prince opening his account at Newbury in the UK overnight.
Five Straight and a Stakes Victory for Pop Award
There is a myriad of Snitzel sons at stud this spring, but for value and proven credentials it’s impossible to go past Rosemont Stud’s Cox Plate hero Shamus Award, who posted his first stakes-winner of the new season when exciting mare Pop Award landed the Listed MRC Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Lightly Raced Ferivia Wins G3 Quezette Stakes
Making just her third race day appearance, the Phillip Stokes trained Astern filly Ferivia made the step to black type racing with ease, winning $200,000 Group 3 MRC Quezette Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.
Consecutive Wins for Farnan's Ninja
Highlighted as a Breednet One To Watch off the back of his impressive debut win, the Michael Freedman trained 3yo Farnan gelding Ninja continued his winning form, heading to the city on Saturday to record consecutive race victories.