The Queen set for farewell tour in New Zealand

Victorians have seen the last of Queen Elida (Love You), but the star trotting mare will continue to make her mark as she nears retirement in New Zealand.

The Kiwi owned-and-bred harness racing seven-year-old will have the first of four “farewell” races when she tackles a hot field in Friday night’s $NZ600,000 TAB Trot (2200m) at Cambridge.

Regardless of where she runs, Queen Elida will bank enough prize money to reach a rare milestone. She will become just the second Australasian trotting mare to top $1 million in earnings.

And she still has the time and opportunities to overtake former Kiwi glamour trotter One Over Kenny ($1,060,394) as the richest trotting mare of all time.

The least she can earn Friday night is $NZ26,000, which would take her earnings in Aussie dollars to $1,009,020.

Providing Queen Elida comes through Friday well, plans are to take on Friday week’s $NZ60,000 Lyell Creek Stakes, the $NZ100,000 Anzac Cup on April 25 and the $NZ200,000 Rowe before she heads to the breeding barn in her homeland.

Trainer Brent Lilley insists the mare is primed to go out in very competitive style.

“She’s had those couple of runs back at Melton and trimmed up nicely,” he said. “She’s got the speed to settle into a handy spot from the draw (gate two) this week and I’m sure she’ll go a great race as she did when a close third last year,” he said.

“It’s quite a sentimental time for us, especially Tracey (Cullen, Lilley’s partner), who has done all the work with the mare since she came across to us from NZ almost five a year ago.

“She’s been a marvel from day dot. The owners sent her across hoping she could get a placing in a feature race and here she is about to pass $1 million in prize money.

“I think Tracey would rather that I stay in NZ after these races than the mare. She’s really going to miss her.”

Where Queen Elida lands early from gate two will play a big role in the chances of the other star Victorian mare in the race, Im Ready Jet (gate one).

“To have a winning chance, we don’t want Queen Elida crossing us. It’ll put us too far back,” Im Ready Jet’s trainer Andy Gath said.

“If we can keep her out and settle behind the leader, or at worst three-back, I’m sure she’ll run a great race.

“She’s right at the top of her game. She’s travelled across well and felt really sharp in her work at Pukekohe (Wednesday morning).

“To have a winning hope, she needs to be on the pegs and she’s drawn there, so now it’s about settling close enough and pace being on.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria