Apprentice Elen Nicholas produced a pair of copybook rides to notch a winning double at New Plymouth including a stylish victory aboard Te Awamutu visitor Rosetown Princess (NZ) (Redwood) in the Makita Open (1800m).
Nicholas opened her account aboard the Michael Wallace-trained Florin (NZ) (Vanbrugh) in race two before employing similar tactics aboard Rosetown Princess to make it two wins from her only rides on the day.
Caught wide in the early rush for positions, Nicholas didn’t panic and eased the Darrell Hollinshead-prepared mare around to sit outside leader Pick Of The Litter (NZ) (Vadamos) with 1000m to run.
Rosetown Princess loomed up outside that runner turning for home and put her head in front before grinding clear of the field to register a comprehensive one and a half-length winning margin over Pick Of The Litter and Wheelitin (NZ) (Ekraar), who had trailed the pair for the majority of the journey.
Hollinshead was delighted his gamble to throw his rating 67 mare into the open grade event had paid off.
“She has been a great fun horse for the boys and it was great to see her win like that,” Hollinshead said.
“We actually had her in the Interprovincial later in the day but with the rail out and a big field for that one we didn’t think it would suit her style as the track is not really favouring back runners.
“The smaller field for this one let her find her feet and then move forward and Elen did that nicely for us.
“I have always thought she would appreciate a little bit of distance in time and now she has strengthened right up she looks like that will be the case.”
Hollinshead doesn’t have any set plans for his charge but believes in her current form she has more wins in her.
“She is a lovely mare to do anything with, just a beautiful nature and very relaxed,” he said.
“The way she won today, I think she can get a couple more for us as she handles most tracks and the weather would suggest we will get plenty more moisture for a while longer which will really suit her.”
Raced by a large group including members of the Hollinshead family, Rosetown Princess is a daughter of Redwood and Thorn Park mare Prickley Princess (NZ). She hails from a quality family that includes Pondarosa Miss (NZ) (High Chaparral), a winner of the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) along with multiple Australian stakes winner Ecuador (NZ) (High Chaparral).
Rosetown Princess has now four races and over $146,000 in prizemoney.
