Duchess Maria headlines strong Classique at Addington this Friday

By Michael Guerin

Even a year away from racing isn’t enough to put the TAB bookies off Duchess Maria in one of the hottest three-year-old fillies trot races were have seen at Addington on Friday.

The $60,000 Macca Lodge Sires’ Stakes Classique brings together Duchess Maria, who has never been beaten in public, against Marikit and Petite Armour, who were so good winning at Addington last Friday and another southern raider in Imperious Girl.

With northern fillies led by Our Col yet to join this group and Aussie star Kyvalley Ray returning for the NZ Trotting Derby later in the season the crop has a vintage feel to it.

But even after having not raced since September 25 last year Duchess Maria opened the $2.50 favourite ahead of Petite Armour with Marikit a very tempting $4.

Trainer Nathan Williamson says Duchess Maria’s recent scratching from an engagement in Southland was only a precaution because of a minor hoof issue and he has been thrilled with how she has come up.

But from the outside draw over 1980m mobile she is going to need to do something special to remain unbeaten against a couple of key race-hardened rivals. She is currently four from four. 

The Addington meeting has the age group horses as its biggest attractions with Chiggsy (R8, No.4) the winner in the barrier draw for the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes heat.

He was fourth in his comeback race recently when he started from a second line draw but has secured barrier 4 while his main rival Faith Not Fear faces starting from one on the second line.

The meeting also sees the return of high class three-year-olds Forever Miki and Oaks winner Cath against older pacers in Race 9 while Team Telfer hold a strong hand in the main handicap pace with Bar Louie and J T Boe sharing the 25m backmark.

To see Friday's Addington fields click here