Prncsshootingstar shines in Hot Line Stakes
Published:Sunday | March 13, 2022 | 12:14 AMAinsley Walters - Sunday Gleaner Writer
PRNCSSHOOTINGSTAR shot out the gate and stayed resolute up the lane, landing yesterday’s six-furlong Hot Line stakes as the prohibitive favourite at odds of 1-9 with Linton Steadman aboard.
Unraced since leading top-colt BRINKS into the lane in November’s Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy for two-year-olds, at seven furlongs, PRNCSSHOOTINGSTAR was simply too fast for rivals in the fillies-only event.
Bred all-round for speed, Buzz Nightmare-Khaleesi’s Revenge, PRNCSSHOOTINGSTAR first turned back A GIFT FROM BEN before safely holding SILENT MISSION, who picked up the chase coming off the home turn.
However, PRNCSSHOOTINGSTAR’s stamina remains in question with the next stop on the Road to the Triple Crown being the seven-furlong Thornbird Stakes, which should see the return of Anthony Nunes’ GOLDEN WATTLE, who closed from off the pace to beat colts, PERFECT BREW and BRINKS, in December’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile.
SUCCESSFUL DEBUT
Nunes appears to have a stacked hand for the fillies’ classics, making a successful debut with NEFERTARI, a half-sister to 2018 Oaks winner, Fayrouz.
After giving some trouble to enter the gate, NEFERTARI dwelt at the start of the six-and-a-half furlong event for three-year-old maiden fillies, giving up almost a half-furlong to the leaders at the half-mile marker.
However, the Savoy Stamp-Princess Geeta offspring hit top gear in the stretch run, motoring from near last to overhaul MILA’S ALL THAT inside the last half-furlong, winning eased down by Steadman.
Feanny had a bumper day with a hat-trick on the 10-race card, starting with United States-bred I’VE GOT MAGIC. Tevin Foster used the foreigner’s speed to blow away 3-5 favourite CRIMSON at seven and a half furlongs before PRNCSSHOOTINGSTAR’S gate-to-wire victory.
Youville Pinnock, who opened the programme with 5-2 market-springer HAPPY GO LUCKY for Welsh Soutar, closed Feanny ‘s hat-trick aboard 6-5 favourite FAULT LINE, nailing hurriedly ridden 5-2 chance, PROSECCO, with leading rider Dane Dawkins at a mile in the ninth.
Racing continues this afternoon with a nine-race card, featuring the six-furlong Sir Howard Stakes for three-year-old colts and geldings.