Duchess shows her class

Southland trained Duchess Of Kent (Art Major) has stamped herself as an early contender for the Nevele R Filles Series with her impressive win at Addington last night.

“I normally don’t get too nervous. But last night was a bit different,” said trainer Lauren Pearson who watched the race from her Winton home.

After she won at Ascot Park in early July, Pearson sent the three year old filly north to Bob Butt so she could race in the early heats of the Nevele R Fillies Series.

In last night’s race Butt settled Duchess Of Kent back early and with a lap to run she was second last on the outside. Coming out of the last bend he asked his filly to improve three wide and she started to chase down the leaders. Butt pulled the ear plugs shortly after and once she balanced up for the run home Duchess Of Kent let down nicely, winning by a length and a half from Celestial Sea.

DUCHESS OF KENT REPLAY

The winning time for the 1980 metres was 2-23.1 with the last 800 metres cut out in 56.2.

The win was Duchess Of Kent’s fourth in a row. All her wins have been as a three year old in this season.

“We had a yarn with Bob last night and he’s going to put her in a nice paddock up there until she comes home. The next heat we’ll target is on the 28^th October at Ashburton. Hopefully the win has given her enough (points) to get into the final.”

Pearson says Duchess Of Kent will stay in Canterbury for the Nevele R Fillies Series Final and the New Zealand Oaks.

“We’ll probably give her a start down here and then take her up to Ashburton.”

The three year old fillies crop looks to be particularly strong this season with Captains Mistress, Arafura, Beside Me and General Jen yet to appear for the business end of the season.

“Bob was rapt. Although we haven’t raced the real good ones yet, Bob reckons the 2600 metres of the Oaks won’t worry her. She will improve with age and Brent reckons she’ll be better next year. She’ll still got to step up but the breed gets better with age.”

Pearson thinks Duchess Of Kent may be the best horse she and her partner Brent Barclay have trained.

“Potentially yes, because our horses normally get sold. We’re lucky this one is a keeper.”

Lauren and Brent have just returned from a holiday in Australia.

“We went up to Port Douglas where it was very hot. It was good to get away but good to get back.”

The win was Pearson’s seventy ninth and first at Addington.

Duchess Of Kent is raced by the Estate of Lester Smith and his widow Julia and sons Matt and Sam were on the course to enjoy the win.

This was just the second time a horse bred by Smith has won at Addington. Hit The Tape trained by Alan Scobie won there in November 1986.

Duchess Of Kent is out of the Christian Cullen mare Galleons Honour which Smith bought for $25,000 in June 2010 at a Kerry Hoggard dispersal sale in Auckland.

Duchess Of Kent is the last foal out of Galleons Honour. The mare died of laminitis.

Smith raced some good horses over the years including Atitagain, First Glimpse and Duke Of Wellington.

Atitagain and Duke Of Wellington both won the Southern Supremacy Stakes whilst First Glimpse won the 1991 El Dorado Gold Classic at Moonee Valley.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink