KEY POINTS:
The thrills of racing top 3-year-old Darci Brahma were equalled by the win of Princess Coup at Trentham on Saturday, says owner John Bromley.
Princess Coup proved too strong to win the group three $70,000 Lowland Stakes (2100m) for 3-year-old fillies at the Masterton Racing Club's meeting at Trentham.
Bromley owns Princess Coup in partnership with Ray Coupland of Christchurch.
Bromley also holds a 10 per cent share in Darci Brahma who was retired from racing last month after winning five group one races.
Princess Coup has yet to win a group one race but Saturday's win was her second at group three level after taking out the $75,000 Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham in January.
"This is right up there with Darci," he said.
Bromley, a former Wellingtonian who has retired to Taupo, said the deeds of Princess Coup meant more to him because he had had more to do with her.
"I did all the work with her and that's what makes me so proud of her," he said.
Princess Coup was purchased at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in Queensland for A$260,000 ($298,000).
Bromley said the horse was identified in the catalogue after consulting with his Manawatu pedigree analyst Clive Harper and because he wanted a horse by Encosta De Lago.
Saturday's winning purse of $40,625 took Princess Coup's stake earnings to $295,000 with a record of 15 starts for seven wins, three seconds and a third.
Her next start will be in the group one $300,000 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) for 3-year-old fillies at Trentham on March 17.
She was yesterday named a $3.20 favourite for the famous race.
Waikato trainer Mark Walker had a question mark over Princess Coup considering she had been in training since last August but his stable foreman, Andrew Carston, on hand at Trentham, said the horse was amazing.
"She just continues to improve, unbelievably," Carston said.
"To look at her today you wouldn't realise she's been up that long."
Princess Coup, ridden by Chris Johnson, raced three back on the inside, was out to challenge at the top of the straight and came clear to score by 1 1/2 lengths.
Second was Castlebar who momentarily looked a threat to the winner in the straight but could not bridge the gap. Four lengths away third was Soelin.
* The stake for the 1400m Opunake Cup in July has been increased to $100,000 and it has been transferred from Hawera to New Plymouth. The stake is up $25,000 on last year.
- NZPA
