Kaimai Queen ticks black-type box at Tauranga
In the twilight of her career, underrated mare Kaimai Queen (NZ) (Atlante) added valuable black-type to her record when second in Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m).
Despite all four victories and the lion’s share of her career earnings coming on heavy tracks, Kaimai Queen started at a quote of $71 at the rain-affected Tauranga track where Churchillian and Platinum Diamond were fancied.
Her rider Elen Nicholas initially elected to go back from the outside draw but was trapped three and four-wide throughout in midfield while Churchillian controlled proceedings from the front. The latter kicked hard on the turn and proved too strong to rein in, but Kaimai Queen put in a valiant effort down the outside fence, charging into second ahead of Thooza.
While the performance came as a surprise to punters, her trainer Glenn Old had been quietly hopeful of a strong result.
“She’s always been an honest mare, right from day dot,” Old said. “I’m the third trainer to get hold of her and she’s probably improved a bit with age.
“She’s funny, she likes those wet tracks where it’s not raining on the day so the couple of dry days prior to yesterday suited her.
“We were hopeful of a top four or five run, so she’s gone very well.”
Purchased for just $3,000 as a yearling by DG Bloodstock, the daughter of Atlante and an unraced Thorn Park mare in Thyme has collected over $133,000 in stakes for Peak Racing, who likely will look to the broodmare paddock next term for the rising nine-year-old.
“We’ll look at another Listed race with her, possibly in three weeks' time at Taranaki in the Opunake Cup if she gets in there,” Old said.
“Then, the owners will probably be looking to get her in foal this season.”
