Racing: Bold effort to extend southerner's stay

Princess Brook has finished in the money in each of her last five outings. Photo / Wild Range Photography

Princess Brook's performance on Saturday will determine how long she will be away from home.

The Wingatui mare will make her second North Island appearance when she runs in the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2100m) at Awapuni.

"We'll get Saturday out of the way first, but there is the Marton Cup a fortnight later and she could run in that," trainer Terry Kennedy said.

Princess Brook finished a respectable seventh behind Nashville in last year's Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) and earned another trip away with a string of honest efforts.

She has finished in the money in each of her last five outings, including a third placing in the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton.

"She's been going super and the bigger tracks suit her," Kennedy said. "She arrived at Bruce Herd's place on Tuesday and she's travelled and settled in nicely. She's drawn well and will be ridden off the pace a bit."

Princess Brook will be partnered by Chris Johnson, who has guided the daughter of Raise The Flag to six of her eight career wins.

"She's been getting quite a bit of weight down here," Kennedy said.

"She's the highest rated horse in the race on Saturday, but with the mare's allowance she'll carry 58.5kg and that's better than running around here with 60kg.

"When she ran third at Riccarton she was giving seven kilos to the first two horses.

Manawatu Cup

G3, 2100m, $100,000

1. Blathwayt (12) 60J Waddell
2. Sampson (6) 59.5R Jones
3. Itsallbelt (2) 59D Bradley
4. Princess Brook (4) 58.5C Johnson
5. Boxachocolates (8) 58.5S Weatherley
6. Balham (3) 58R Myers
7. Woodsman (5) 58A Jones
8. Alinko Prince (9) 57J Parkes
9. Dr Watson (11) 57M McNab
10. All In Vogue (7) 56L Hemi
11. Clarify (1) 54S McKay
12. Leading Role (10) 53C Lammas

- NZ Racing Desk