Central Districts visitor Sensible Princess sprang an upset when she downed a
quality line-up of fillies and mares in the Group II NRM Auckland Thoroughbred
Breeders Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe.
Despite boasting an impeccable formline of four wins from her last five starts,
the daughter of former Darley shuttler Street Sense (USA) and capable race-mare Cape Princess was making her
first attempt at the elite level, a challenge that she took comfortably in her
stride.
Handled perfectly by leading rider Chris Johnson, Sensible Princess tracked
nicely into the race to issue her challenge early in the home straight. Leading
fancy Francaletta had assumed control at this point and looked set for victory,
however, in his usual imperturbable fashion, Johnson urged his mount for a
supreme effort which saw her drive to the lead as the pair hit the finish line.
"She travelled nicely in the run and about halfway I came out three wide," said
Johnson.
"I didn't know if she had quite got up, but she obviously got her nose in front
at the right time."
Trainer Fraser Auret was quick to pay tribute to Allpress who had ridden the
mare in all bar one of her runs in her current campaign before suffering a
nasty injury back in October.
"I owe a massive plug to Lisa Allpress as she has really developed this mare
for me," he said.
"It's easy for me to sit here and take all the credit but a lot of work goes in
behind the scenes, I've got a great staff around me and everyone plays their
part."
Auret admitted he wasn't sure if Sensible Princess had even got the victory
until he heard the official judges call.
"I didn't have any idea to be honest," he said.
"It's her first start this way around and she had better bearings than me. She
had been working well and I felt last start she just may have sat a little
handy as she is better when ridden off the pace.
"As a young horse she used to jar up on the firm tracks, but she's always had
the class.
"We're not going to get too carried away with things for her but there is a
nice weight-for-age mile back at Trentham in two weeks that the stable has won
the last two years, so that's where she might be headed."
Auret was referring to the Gr. 1 Rydges Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham
on 9 December, a race he won with Aide Memoire in 2016 and Julinsky Prince in
2015.
The victory was also a further boost for owner John Bromley who sold a half-brother
by Snitzel from Cape Princess to Hong Kong interests for $250,000 on the first
day of the NZB Ready To Run Sale held earlier this week. – NZ Racing Desk