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Johnathan Parkes will renew his association with Darscape Princess when the gifted mare attempts to go one better at Group One level next time out at Te Aroha.
The Wanganui jockey has partnered the Marton-trained four-year-old in all five of her wins, but missed the ride last time out at Ellerslie where she passed the stiffest test of her 12-start career with flying colours.
He was committed to Start Wondering, who finished fifth, in the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) while the Queensland-based expatriate Kiwi rider Damian Browne guided Darscape Princess into second.“Damian did a fantastic job and got her to settle,” Auret said. “She’s still young and learning and hasn’t quite put it all together.
“She’s come through the run well and Johnathan will be back on for the Breeders’ Stakes.“There were probably reasons not to go to Ellerslie for the New Zealand Stakes - it was her first time at 2000m, the first time right-handed and she’d never travelled away, but you’ve got to educate them at some stage and we weren’t surprised by her performance.
“We’re very excited with her, she only won a Rating 65 in December so it’s all happened quite quickly.”While Darscape Princess is confirmed for Saturday week’s Gr.1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), stablemate and older half-sister Sensible Princess has all but been ruled out.
“I’m very doubtful that she’ll get there, it’s just coming up a bit too soon for her,” Auret said.She hasn’t raced since she beat Francaletta and Coldplay in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe in November.
“She’ll be nursed along and she loves it wet so she’ll be out in the winter and then she’ll be ready for the Group Ones at Hawke’s Bay.”