Smart mare strikes at Ellerslie again

Graham Richardson’s confidence in completing a significant family double with Queens Rose was boosted on Saturday with another Ellerslie success.

The Matamata trainer saddled the five-year-old to win the Ventell Limited 1200 off the back of a resuming victory on the track at her previous appearance.
“She was very impressive in her first time in open class, it couldn’t have gone any better,” Richardson said.

“Her next start will be at Hawera in the fillies and mares race. It will be a strong field there, but it’s a goal for the owners as the mother won that race.”
The event is question is the Gr.3 Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes on October 11 and a weight-for-age contest Queens Rose’s dam Rosetti Bay claimed in 2006.

“Longer-term, we’ll be looking at races in the autumn like the Easter Handicap,” Richardson said.

Queens Rose, whose younger half-sister Diamond Rose broke her maiden at Te Aroha on Friday, has now compiled a record of six wins – all under Noel Harris – from 13 starts.

“She just keeps improving and she’s always had a bit of class about her,” the jockey said.

Queens Rose came down the outside of the track on Saturday to comfortably account for Guevara and Magic Belle.

“When I cruised up to them I gave her a couple of decent ones and she put them away, that’s the sign of a good horse,” Harris said.

Recent News
18 September 2026

WS-breds shine at the Racing Victoria Off The Track Carnival

Last weekend saw many retired racehorses and their careers compete in various disciplines, and one star who shone brightly was Eden Pearson’s 10-year-old ott horse, Tango. Once racing as Does It (Pins ex Just Be Cos), Tango raced 45 times, winning on five occasions and accumulating prizemoney of $275,550 before retiring in June 2024.

Read More
13 September 2026

David Hayes’ Absolute Awakened wins at Sha Tin

With Hong Kong’s new season just two weeks in, it wasn’t long before the progeny of Ardrossan stepped into the winners’ circle and at the second Sha Tin race meeting of the season, it was David Hayes’ Absolute Awakened who won by a length over 1400m.

Read More