Princess Katie’s first-up victory in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton on Saturday was all about family.

The five-year-old Bianconi mare is prepared at Palmerston North by Kevin Gray for his son Stephen who bred and races the sprinter with his wife Bridget.  Stephen Gray began training with his father before moving to Singapore in 2000.

“She’s a quality mare and it was a really good effort,” Kevin Gray said.  “I’m so pleased for Stephen and Bridget.”

Princess Katie (5m Bianconi – Go Getter by Snippets) had not raced since winning by 8 lengths at Waverley in June.  “She had a couple of trials but that’s not as good as racing,” Gray said.  “It’s a bit like rugby – if you’re not on the field you lose fitness.  But she was as well as we could get her.”

Princess Katie led throughout and clocked 56.73s to defeat Final Touch (Kashani) and King Montrose (King’s Chapel).  Jockey Lisa Allpress also played a significant part in the memorable victory.  “Lisa was apprenticed to me for five years and she’s virtually family as well,” Gray said.  “We may back the mare up in the Stewards Stakes on Wednesday.”

Her dam Go Getter changed hands for $90,000 at the 2000 Gold Coast Magic Millions but couldn’t win a race in 9 starts for Gai Waterhouse.  Transferred to Singapore, she won twice for Stephen Gray before returning to Australia in 2005.

Swettenham Stud resident Bianconi has now sired 18 stakes winners among 469 individual winners at a 62% strike-rate.  He stands at Swettenham for a $9,000 (inc gst) service fee.

– Karl Patterson

PRINCESS KATIE
Bianconi filly wins LR Pegasus Stakes at Riccarton

Photo / NZ Thoroughbred Marketing