Sadie makes it two from two

Quality trotting mare Princess Sadie (Muscle Mass) won her second race on the trot at Winton today, giving her the perfect start to her four year old season.

In the $30,000 Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR Silk Road Southern Winter Trotters Series Final, Princess Sadie began well from the twenty metre mark and trucked along in fourth place for most of the trip.

“It’s good to see her stand start manners being so good for a horse that hasn’t had a lot of stands. She’s been a tradesman all her life, so it was great to see her carry that on,” trainer driver Matty Williamson said.

Turning in, Emily pinched a small break. Princess Sadie started to let down centre track, but main rival Aroha Kenny was on her back.

“Being a small field I knew she would probably be on our back, but my horse is very fast so I knew if she got the right run she’d be hard to get past.”

At the end of the 2400 metres Princess Sadie had a half a length margin on Aroha Kenny with Emily another half a length back in third.

PRINCESS SADIE REPLAY

“She didn’t jog on by like I had hoped, but in saying that you’re racing good competition and running good times, so it’s never easy. It was comfy enough in the last 100.”

The win was Princess Sadie’s second this campaign.

“Touchwood they tell me those two wins are penalty free, so that’s going to make it a wee bit easier. They’ve got another similar series in Canterbury with obviously bigger fields. We’ll have a crack at that.”

Like most Southern trainers Williamson was very complimentary of the series.

“It’s a lovely series they put on. It’s a shame there weren’t a few more around for the race. It’s been a smart initiative and it helps keep mares in the country. She’s (Princess Sadie) getting stronger and has a lot of speed so hopefully in the next season and a half we’ll keep measuring up.”

He says The Jasmyn’s Gift in September at Oamaru and The Dark Horse at Ascot Park in October will be races he’ll target.

Meanwhile Kirstin Green notched up three training wins across the day with Heidsieck, Raspalia and Bobbies Rock. She handled Heidsieck herself while Raspalia had Blair Orange in the bike and Seth Hill drove Bobbies Rock. Green also drove Major Art to win for Amber Hoffman, so it was a good day for the Tisbury horsewoman.

At the end of Heidsieck’s win Green gave a salute to the late Southland trainer Murray Brown.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink