A Right Royal Win

Well placed by trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Queen’s Evidence (3 f King’s Legacy – Enjay, by High Chaparral) won the $40,000 La Nuova Drycleaners 3YO 1200 metres on Saturday at Wanganui. 

After being beaten by a short half-head in the first race with debutante filly Petite Rocher (Grunt), who staged a gallant performance from barrier 12, it was good to follow up with a victory. 

Stakes' placed as a two and three-year-old, Queen’s Evidence had begun well to race outside the leader when resuming with a good fourth in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 11 December at Ellerslie, and the genuine filly rated a top three chance. 

Beginning well, Queen’s Evidence dropped the bridle to situate second on the outer, quickened to lead at the 200m, and pinned her ears back to get the job done comfortably. 

It was another good ride by former Te Akau apprentice Wiremu Pinn, who continues to mature in his overall jockeyship, to record his 33rd win for the trainers. It was also a richly deserved additional win by a beautifully bred filly that scored on debut as a two-year-old and proved competitive against some of the best in age group racing. 

“I had us mapped to lead or sit outside the leader and I was pretty confident she would win today, after racing in some better races,” Pinn said.

“But after riding in the first race, with the ground being so good, it took the confidence away a bit. I take my hat off to her, she’s toughed it out and did a really good job to win on this kind of track, which she doesn’t appreciate.

“She let down the way I expected, but with the firm track I wasn’t sure she was going to give me that. I’m sure she had plenty more left in her, but with the track circumstances she probably didn’t give it her all.”

On footing upgraded to Good3, Queen’s Evidence ran 1200 metres in 1:11.0, last 600m in 35.1 (approx.), and justified favouritism to pay $2.30 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was good to see her score another win, today, and she’s a game filly that we’ll target more black type racing with,” Walker said.

“She’s a nice filly and got the size, scope, and pedigree to train on as a four and five-year-old, as well.”

Owned by the Te Akau Lineage Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Queen’s Evidence was purchased for $220,000 by David Ellis MNZM, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

“She pins her ears back and really tries hard, which are great attributes to see in any horse,” said Ellis, from the Gold Coast, where he is preparing for the Magic Millions Yearling Sale next week (13 – 18 Jan) with daily short list inspections at the sale grounds.

“She’s from a beautiful filly family and by an exciting young sire that stands at the one of the top farms (Coolmore Stud) in the world.

“She looked good winning a trial before winning on debut as a two-year-old and Mark and Sam have rightfully given her the chance in some good stakes’ races, where she’s placed twice. 

“The family is renowned for producing horses with a good turn of foot and she’s a filly with plenty of athleticism.

“She’s a very good filly for the owners to be involved in, and she’s got the potential to keep adding to her residual value with more good stakes performances in the future.”

Queen’s Evidence is from a highly talented family, as both dam Enjay and grand-dam Gypsy’s Daughter (Mi Preferido) were impressive winners.

King’s Legacy, by breed shaper Redoute’s Choice (Danehill), was a very good dual Group One winning two-year-colt, scoring in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m), and last season Queen’s Evidence became the first winner for the sire in New Zealand.

While Enjay (High Chaparral) impressed winning over 2100-metres, Gypsy’s Daughter won three stakes’ races at 2000 metres during a career of seven wins to 2400 metres, and proved herself as a broodmare with four individual winners of four races, including Group Two and Group Three winner Rolling Pin (Pins), who also placed in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).

Enjay, too, has proved herself at stud with five individual winners of 10 races, including the multiple stakes' placed fillies Familia (Makfi) and Queen’s Evidence. 

Queen’s Evidence carries a cross to immortal sire Northern Dancer, from an uncluttered dam line of bloodline crosses going back to Alibhai in the pedigree of Gypsy’s Daughter. Alibhai carries the blood of highly influential stallion St Simon.

Queen’s Evidence was strapped by Murala (Mali) Mallesh.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.racimeages.co.nz