Duchess Classy Like her Namesake

A patient ride by Michael Coleman allowed Duchess Kate (3 f Savabeel - Royal Prize, by Prized) to show her best against a talented field in the $20,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on 28 Decemeber at Ellerslie.

Given an economical trip in midfield on the inner, Coleman found a gap to pierce through at the 150m and she dashed home under a hand ride.

On Good3 footing, she ran the 1400 metres in 1:24.9, last 600m in 35.4, and returned $6.50 & $2.10 on the tote.

“She's done a great job,” said Pam Gerard. “Michael (Coleman) got her to settle back, luckily got the split at the end and came home very strongly.

Duchess Kate has won two of her six starts for owner and breeder Max Whitby.

In October, she displayed her wares when booming home for an impressive maiden win at Taupo, before a creditable run for fifth in the Soliloquy Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Ellerslie, and following a freshen-up notched a solid fourth over 1200 metres on 15 December at Ellerslie.

“Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) have been very patient with her. She's always showed them heaps and it was a very good race last time here,” said Gerard.

Duchess Kate will now turn her attention towards the $70,000 Wellfied Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 30 January at Trentham, with Autridge contemplating a start in the interim, and then the $100,000 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 13 February at Te Rapa.

And an increase in distances could be just what the doctor ordered for the granddaughter of Eva Grace (Vice Regal).

Eva Grace won eleven races and while her forte was around the mile she scored her greatest success in the 1985 Avondale Cup (Gr. 1, 2200m), as well as finishing second to Bonecrusher (Pag-Asa) in a weight-for-age Group Two 2000 metres at Te Rapa.

The win by Duchess Kate was the 47^th this season for the Autridge/Richards training partnership and keeps them atop the premiership.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz