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The covers came off two smart trial performers at Taupo and both lived up to their stable reputations with winning debuts.
The Stephen Marsh-trained I Am Queen was untested in Saturday’s Starlight Cinema Centre Maiden (1000m) and a race later Jasd turned it on in the Graeme Thomson Antique Jewellery Maiden (1200m).
The favourite I Am Queen made use of her inside gate to share the pace with the well-fancied Excaliffraaj, who lost his compass across the top, and she scooted clear 200m from home to give jockey Danielle Johnson a cruisy ride to the post.“The draw made it a lot easier and when the second favourite ran off,” said Marsh of his runaway winner.
“She jumped and travelled beautifully and won really well, she’ll go places. We’ll keep an eye on her and see how she is, but she’ll be much better in the autumn.”A daughter of Animal Kingdom, I Am Queen had placed in both of her trials, the latest at Te Aroha earlier this month.
“That was a really good trial and she’s done nothing wrong,” Marsh said. “She’s got a bit of class about her.”Sepoy’s good-looking son Jasd was in action at the same matinee meeting and he won his 800m heat by a wide margin.
“He’s got plenty of raw talent and he’s a gorgeous type, but still mentally immature,” Pike said.Jasd followed the pace at Taupo before rider Michael McNab urged him forward three wide across the top and the three-year-old was too good in the run home.
“He looks like he’ll get a mile eventually,” Pike said.“We’ll probably look for a soft option for him next, he could be a nice horse for Brisbane in the winter.”A yearling half-sister (Lot 355) to Jasd by I Am Invincible will be offered by Windsor Park Stud at the Book 1 Sale at Karaka on January 28.