Queen Elida starts last campaign

Top class trotting mare Queen Elida (Love You) is about to embark on her last harness racing campaign and another visit to New Zealand is on the cards.

The New Zealand owned mare trialled at Melton on Monday against the pacers, finishing fourth in a 2240 metre heat. She’s set to start at the races for Victorian trainer Brent Lilley in the next two weeks.

“She went super and she may have another trial next Monday, then line up on the 24th,” breeder and part owner Tony Barron said.

Southland farmer Gordon McKenzie (Boof) with his sons Graeme, Blair and Brad along with Tony and Cheryl Barron race Queen Elida who’s fashioned an outstanding record, winning 34 races and banking $882,495.

Although there are plenty of options for Queen Elida on both sides of the Tasman, Barron says her programme will be assessed on a month by month basis.

“Our biggest problem in Australasia is Just Believe. I’ve spoken to Boof about it and I’ll talk to Lil next week, but we just have to try and avoid Just Believe. We know that if he’s 100% fit and we’re 100% fit we can’t beat him.”

One option for Queen Elida is the recently announced Queen Of Diamonds at Alexandra Park in December.

“The Interdominions has been the aim, but now there’s a $100,000 Group One mares trot in Auckland. She’d be very hard to beat, but it’s very similar timing.”

Barron confirmed that this will be Queen Elida’s last season of racing.

“If anything goes wrong she’ll be retired. I’d love for her to get to the million dollar mark especially with Lil. We’ve basically looked after her and that was the whole idea of sending her over there, to do the best by the horse. If it means bringing her home then that’s what we’ll do.”

Barron confirmed that Queen Elida is also likely to race in the $600,000 TAB Mobile Trot at Cambridge in April, a race she finished third in earlier this year.

“She’ll stay on for the Anzac and Rowe Cup. Fingers crossed she’ll go through until May then be let down for breeding. With Entain coming on board and the opportunities they’ve given in New Zealand for the next few years it’s pretty exciting not only her but for Queen Kizen (Queen Elida’s full sister). They’ve really dangled the carrot.”

Two year old filly Queen Kizen (What The Hill) has had three starts for two wins and a third. She had a quiet trial at Rangiora yesterday. Barron says she’ll stay in New Zealand for the time being.

“We’ll keep her here because she’s got some good races for her starting on the 27^th September with the $50,000 race (Group Three Entain Two Year Old Trot at Addington). There are good races all the way through for her until November 29^th ending with the $100,000 Ace Of Hearts. She may go over to Aussie as a three year old for the Breeders Crown.”

Barron said Queen Kizen is a good example of what the Entain money has done for the sport in this country.

“She’d be looking at heading over to Australia now, aiming at races like the Breeders Crown.”

Barron and McKenzie purchased Queen Elida’s dam Queen Kenny (Monarchy) from Phil Williamson in 2019 and from forty nine starts she won nine races. It’s been in the breeding barn that she’s had remarkable success with her first two foals registering 1-53 mile rates.

Queen Elida recorded 1-53.0 in May at Menangle while her full brother Toro Stride which was sold for $280,000 at the 2020 NZB Standardbred Sales in Christchurch has a best mile time is 1-53.5. He’s won four of his last six starts.

“He’s always been a nice horse, he just needed a bit of time. The Randos, (Joe and Mary) who have got him now have done a super job. He’s trotting super and turning into a good horse and hopefully he’s at the Interdominions too.”

Queen Kenny has also left a full sister to Queen Elida in Queen Boa. She’s unraced and has left a Tactical Landing filly which is going to the sales and is in foal to What The Hill.

Queen Kenny’s latest foal, a colt by What The Hill, which is a full brother to Queen Kizen is also heading to February’s NZB Standardbred Sales in Christchurch.

“He’s an absolute stunner.”

Queen Kenny is currently in foal to Tactical Landing.

“Boof wants to race a few colts and we’ve decided to go foal about so the foal inside Queen Kenny now is his and I’m sending her to Volstead.”

So a bit to digest, but plenty of exciting times ahead for one branch of the outstanding ‘Kenny’ breed.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink