It's becoming something of a rarity for a European import
not to win a distance stakes race in Australia of late so the last to first performance
of the Darren Weir-trained Prince Of Penzance in Saturday's $250,000 Group II Racing.Com
Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) was the cause of much celebration.
Out of the winners circle since capturing a Listed stakes at
Caulfield back in February, Prince Of Penzance was dragged back to last by
Michelle Payne after threatening to be caught wide.
The Andre Fabre-trained French import Au Revoir (IRE) set
the early pace but he had no answer to the fast finishing Prince Of Penzance
with the Tony NcEvoy-trained Le Roi (GER) getting up to nab Au Revoir for
second. (photo Darryl Sherer)
"I have always had great faith in this horse, right even
before he started racing," Payne said.
"He began too slow to ride him forward which was the
original plan.
"So just had to go to plan 'B' which was to get him to
settle and once he got in to a rhythm he was beautiful. I thought I've got to
ride him for luck now because can't go round them and win and it was just
fantastic. So happy to have won on one of my favourite days of racing."
Weir said he had concerns during the run.
"Michelle rode for luck and at the time I didn't know what
to be thinking but full credit to her," Weir said
"The horse is in really good order. He trained on well since
Moe and it's good to get a win.
"We'll head to the Queen Elizabeth and see what happens
after that."
Bred by Jungle Pocket Pty Ltd & Rich Hill Thoroughbreds,
Prince Of Penzance moves his overall record to 6 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third
from 16 starts for earnings of $452,690.
A son of Rich Hill Stud's foundation stallion Pentire (GB),
Prince Of Penzance is the seventh foal of the imported Mr Prospector mare Royal
Successor (USA) a daughter of the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Only Royale
(Caerleon).
He was originally passed in at the NZ Premier sale before
John Foote stepped in to secure Prince Of Penzance on behalf of Weir for $50,000.
A sister to Pride Of Penzance was knocked down to Henry
Dwyer Racing for $110,000 at the Select Sale at Karaka in January.
