Princess Sadie "real chance" at Addington tonight

By Michael Guerin

Matty Williamson is blaming himself for Princess Sadie’s last start defeat but thinks he can make it up to punters at Addington tonight.

The usually consistent mare faded to seventh when well supported at Addington two weeks ago with the Oamaru trainer putting his hand up as the main reason.

“That was on me, I had her too short [fitness-wise],” Williamson tells HRNZ.

“But she will be better for that run and the work I have given her since so I think she is ready to go a lot better on Friday.”

Princess Sadie is off 20m in the About Now Colin Hair Memorial (8.27pm) with her key rivals either alongside or behind her, most notably Eurostyle on the 45m back mark.

“She is usually a good beginner so if she can step well I’d like to get handy and put some horses between us and a few of the other favourites.

“I am sure she will perform better this week and I think she has a real chance.”

Rock Lobster shares that 20m mark with Princess Sadie and has been close up in two strong fields lately so gives young driver Riley Harrison another winning chance in a strong book of drives.

Undoubtedly the best horse in the race is Eurostyle, who was run off her feet by the early tempo last Friday and while that could happen again with her main rivals close to her in the handicaps she might be able to secure a better drag into the race.

Still, winning off 45m in a capacity field is never easy.

Earlier in the night Williamson brings Axel Rose to Addington for the first time and hopes to use the front row draw to his advantage in what is a handy field to start the night. 

“He is a nice horse who will keep getting better and if he steps well and we can stay in front he would be hard to catch,” says Williamson.

Williamson also partners the talented Radha (R8, No.8) against a trio of Warren Stapleton-trained runners in the 2600m mobile intermediate pace which could suit a stayer with so many hardened warriors engaged.

One of the night’s other features in the $25,000 Canterbury Breeders Stakes (7.21pm) in which the impressive Cinderella Franco is trying to make it four wins from five starts in the 1980m mobile.

She doesn’t come in well at the ratings as a R45 mare against the likes of Diamonds Are Forever as a Rating 61 pacer who took on It’s Tough in small but strong field last start.

But you get the feeling Cindrrella Franco is heading toward a far higher mark herself so she her $4 quote (backed in from $5) looks fair.