A PICCADILLY PRINCESS BECOMES QUEEN OF MENANGLE
There are few sights more stirring than two great horses going head-to-head in a battle royale.
And that was the case in the Group One Macarthur Square Ladyship Mile at Tabcorp Park at Club Menangle tonight when champion pair A Piccadilly Princess (Natalie Rasmussen) and Frith (Luke McCarthy) fought out a thrilling finish to this elite mares’ sprint on Saturday, February 25, 2017.
A Piccadilly Princess (4m Bettor’s Delight-Hyde Park Royal) and Natalie Rasmussen,put in the winning run outside,Frith to win the Group One NSW Ladyship Mile in 1:50.4.
At the end A Piccadilly Princess stuck out her nose right on the line to beat the gallant Frith by a nose, with the winner rating 1:50.4 for the mile.
Racegoers knew they were in for something special when the pair cleared out from their rivals on the home turn and settled down for a soul-stirring run to the line.
Blake Fitzpatrick brought Bettorthenspecial with a strong finish to grab third but all honours were with the first two horses as A Piccadilly Princess’ earnings soared above the half-million dollar mark with her win.
“She’s such a terrific little horse, there’s not much of her but she tries her heart out,” said leading reinswoman Natalie Rasmussen who took the reins for the Mark Purdon stables she co-runs with the ace New Zealand mentor.
“My horse always gives you everything she’s got but I have to give a lot of credit to Frith as well, she never stopped trying – and they’re two great horses, that’s for sure.”
A Piccadilly Princess’ win gave the stable the first two Group Ones of the night after their earlier win in the NSW Oaks with Partyon.
. . . and the Purdon express rolled on – with some of their best prospects still to come.
(Rocker Band, after being second in the open early when unable to cross Frith, eased for cover, then was shuffled four back at the half-way point. She tried to improve wide turning for home for driver Zac Butcher, but couldn’t pick up the leaders on a 26.6s final quarter on the front end, finishing sixth).
Courtesy of Mandy Zammitt, Social Media & Trotguide Co-ordinator, Menangle.