Darrell Hollinshead’s bid for a second success in Saturday’s Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) has been dealt a blow, but he remains in the hunt to turn back the clock.
The Te Awamutu trainer won the staying feature 19 years ago with Bak Da Chief (NZ) (Chief Bearhart) and had expected to have two runners in this weekend’s Skycity Hamilton-sponsored event at Te Rapa.
However, his hopes will now solely rest on Rosetown Princess (NZ) (Redwood) with stablemate Ramblin’ Rose (NZ) (Complacent) ruled out by injury.
“I think she would have been a good chance, she’s a very good stayer going forward but she’s got a bit of filling in a tendon,” Hollinshead said.
“It’s a shame for the boys who race her, they’re a good crew and had planned for a big day out.”
With luck in the running, he is expecting a strong showing from Rosetown Princess who hails from the same family as Bak Da Chief.
The 2006 Cup winner also found fame in retirement as the dam of two-time Group One winner Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) while a half-sister produced the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) winner Pondarosa Miss (NZ) (High Chaparral) and multiple stakes winner and top-flight placegetter Ecuador (NZ) (High Chaparral).
“The hardest thing for Rosetown Princess will be that draw (16) because she needs a bit of cover,” Hollinshead said.
The daughter of Redwood was narrowly beaten two runs back in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe and was then unplaced on the course when she dropped back in grade.
“She got cut off at the start and she ended up last and had that big weight (60kg), she was only four lengths off the winner, so it wasn’t a bad run,” Hollinshead said.
“She has trained on well since and drops back to 53kg on Saturday so that helps.
“I might give her a break after this, she’s been up a long time and she’s very versatile, she can go on all ground and always tries.”
Rosetown Princess will again be ridden by Darren Danis, who will also be aboard another family member in Bak Da Angel (NZ) (Ace High), who will contest the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m).
The daughter of Ace High has been a dual winner in the lower grades this preparation before she finished midfield in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and a last-start fourth in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m).
“It’s a very strong field on Saturday, but if she gets some cover then she’ll be a top four chance,” Hollinshead said. “She is a very good horse and is getting better and better all the time and has got a nice draw (three) to work from.”