25 Years On – The Queen Of Hearts

In the 25 years the Queen of Hearts has been held only three horses have won it twice.

2019 winner Belle Of Montana now has the chance to join that select band in the $100,000 Group One at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

After winning in 2019 when paying just $1.30, Belle Of Montana is back with driver Zachary Butcher and is currently a $10 seventh favourite in a field dominated by multiple Group One winner Bettor Twist ($2.10).

Next is The Honey Queen ($5.50) followed by the well-drawn quartet of Stylish Memphis ($6.50), Need You Now ($7.50), Lifes A Beach ($7.50) and Darling Me ($9).

Paying $28, Lifes A Beach and Benjamin Butcher upset a similar field last week. Regular driver John Morrison will replace Butcher because of his commitment to the Telfer stable and Darling Me.

Since the first Queen Of Hearts in 1996, the three horses to have won it twice are Bettor Cover Lover (2011,12), Adore Me (2013,14) and Dream About Me (2016,18).

Last year’s winner Beyond Words has the fastest time for the 2200m at 2:38.2. That was Natalie Rasmussen’s third win in the race. She’s second equal all-time with Brent Mangos, two behind Mark Purdon.

One of her wins was in 2017 – it was a finish that lives long in the memory.

Driving hot favourite Partyon she dead-heated with outsider Jo’s Dream, who gave both driver Andre Poutama and trainer Amanda Kiddie their first Group Ones.

So watch the video and re-live that moment as we count down to the Queen Of Hearts 2021.

HRNZ