KEY POINTS:
The form is already on the board to suggest Princess Coup can win New Zealand's richest race.
Prizemoney of $2 million will be on offer for the Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings on October 6, double last year's stake when the Kevin Gray-trained mare Legs won.
Earlier that year Legs had won the group one New Zealand Oaks which Princess Coup on Saturday turned into a one-horse affair in trouncing her rivals by 4 lengths.
The 2400m of the Oaks was not a problem for Princess Coup among 3-year-old fillies, but her Waikato trainer Mark Walker believes 1600-2000m will be her optimum distance range in the open grade.
Walker said the group one weight-for-age Hawkes Bay spring treble was the obvious target.
The treble opens with the $250,000 Mudgway Stakes (1400m) on September 1 and is followed by the $250,000 Stoney Bridge Stakes (1600m) on September 22. The Kelt Capital Stakes is the prestigious final leg of the treble.
Walker said Princess Coup would also be nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Saturday's win confirmed Princess Coup as the best 3-year-old filly.
The Oaks was the last in the 10-race New Zealand Filly of the Year series which Princess Coup won with 39 points. Second was Veloce Bella on 26 and Dorabella third with 16.
It was the second season in a row Walker has trained the series winner, with the recently retired Shikoba winning it last year.
This season has been a long one for Princess Coup. She resumed racing in August and racked up four successive wins before finishing second in the One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 11. A week later she was third in the Two Thousand Guineas (1600m).
- NZPA
