Riccarton Double - The Queen Rules

Easy as you like, Queen Of Naples (3 f Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time, by Alamosa) won the $17,000 Maiden 1600 metres on 11 June at Riccarton (poly-track).

Breaking through at her third start, Queen Of Naples ran fastest the last 600m (34.6) for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1350 metres on 27 April at Wanganui, and sustained a big finish from beyond midfield for close second in the Maiden 1600 metres on the poly-track on 15 May.

Rating a top three chance despite drawing wide (13), Queen Of Naples was allowed to find her feet in eighth by talented Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz (24), circled five-wide into the straight, and quickened clear at the 200m to win easing down by over two lengths. 

“I was talking to the trainer beforehand and he was very confident,” Queiroz said. 

“She jumped well and travelled easy, and I just waited until the straight to apply pressure and she finished quickly. It was an easy win and she is a nice horse.”

Queiroz had previously ridden winners for Te Akau in Singapore, including the poly-track, before racing finished in October last year after a 180-year history. Since arriving in NZ, he had combined with Te Akau to win the Rangitkei Cup (Listed, 1600m) aboard Francee (Iffraaj) in May at Trentham. 

In the race named Join TAB Racing Club, Queen Of Naples ran 1600 metres in 1:37.2 and easily justified her $2.10 & $1.20 favouritism on the NZ TAB tote. 

On course, assistant trainer Hunter Durrant said: “It was a good ride by Bruno, and he put her to sleep straight away.

“She was three and four-wide, but didn’t do a lot of work, improved around the home bend and was too good in the end.

“She didn’t need to improve a lot off her last run, to do something today, and she looks great. I think she’ll carry on and has some class about her. So, the connections should have a bit of fun.”

Bred by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, Glenn & Cathie Holmes, and Te Akau Stud, Queen Of Naples is owned by Te Akau Timely Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 

“She really built into a strong win and I’m very impressed with the way Bruno (Queiroz) is riding and he rides the poly-track superbly having had that Singapore experience,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson.

“She’s really improving, this filly, and I think she’ll be even better when we step her over more ground.

“Hunter (Durrant) and the team have got the South Island stable in great form, and this filly presented looking a picture.”

Queen Of Naples has plenty of Te Akau history, as principal David Ellis CNZM not only bought her sire as a yearling at Karaka, five-time Group One winner and Champion Sire Darci Brahma, but also her dam, dual winner Tiffany’s Time.

Bred by Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud), Tiffany’s Time was sold through the Bradbury Park draft, and trained by Te Akau she won twice over 1400 metres.

“She (Tiffany’s Time) was a beautiful looking filly with a nice Northern Dancer cross through the sires on both sides of her pedigree,” Ellis recalled.  

“She had terrific balance, exuded class, and from an imported stakes winning daughter of More Than Ready (Southern Halo) – a sire that has done a fantastic job at stud.” 

Her sire, Alamosa (O’Reilly), was a super racehorse that won three races as a two-year-old, including the Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), adding the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Trentham, and Toorak Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Caulfield. 

Queen Of Naples is the second winner for Tiffany’s Time, following the first foal and former stable-mate Time Is King (Darci Brahma), who won twice to 1600 metres, while two-year-old sister Filigree has trialled well and currently in work at Matamata. She also has a yearling and weanling colts by Embellish (Savabeel). 

Purchased by Ellis as a yearling at Karaka, Darci Brahma was trained by Mark Walker to record five Group One victories which included the T. J. Smith Stakes (1600m) in Brisbane, as a two-year-old, 2000 Guineas (1600m), and Telegraph Handicap (1200m).

The Multiple Champion Stallion has sired over 1850 winners: 97 stakes winners, including 16 Group One, the likes of Super Easy, Catalyst, Gust Of Wind, Nashville, Kahma Lass, Recite, Risque, Irish Fling, and many other gifted and hardy thoroughbreds.

Queen Of Naples was strapped by Grace Stevenson.

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz