Princess is primed but draws a rough marble

“This race was her aim but she’ll need to improve a lot with that draw and there’s even more good mares in the race this week,” harness racing trainer Bob Butt said after his mare Princess Meritaten (A Rocknroll Dance) drew the outside of the front row in tomorrow night’s Group One Woodlands Stud Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park.

The five year old mare signaled she was a contender to the mares feature when storming down the middle of the track to win the G3 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes last Friday.

“I was rapt with that run. It was the first time that way round. She hung in a little bit but that can be expected with her first time going that way and having to come wide.”

So what’s the plan from that draw?

“I’ll just have to play it by ear and see how they come out inside of me. The one’s inside of me have all got gate speed. It’s a blimmin tricky one and I don’t want to end up in no-man’s land early.”

However Butt says Princess Meritaten is versatile, so he does have options.

“She’s not a one trick pony.”

The mare has been thriving on her first trip away.

“She’s jumping out of her skin. Her work’s been great and she hasn’t missed an oat.”

Butt is hoping for a change in luck in the Queen Of Hearts after Manhattan finished third in last year’s race and second in 2022.

“It’s a race that’s got away on us a couple of times so hopefully we can go one better this year.”

One would suspect it could take a bit of Bob Butt magic to get this one home.

Meanwhile the race for Gold Bulletin tomorrow didn’t get off the ground so he’s heading home.

“We’ll get him ready for Omakau.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink