Smart Bennett Racing 3yo colt Prinzerro won like a good thing should at Sandown on Wednesday.
The 3yo Pierro colt started short odds as Jamie Kah stayed on board after his 2nd at Moonee Valley to Scentify (subsequent Listed 2nd). In a race that few others had wraps on, Jamie won the race early by firing Prinzerro out of the barriers to cross the field and lead. She then got him to relax and slow the pace (8.7 lens below the standard time from the 1300- 800m). He is such a professional, she was able to relax him, have him travelling and ready for the sprint home. Such is the faith Jamie has in the colt, she had him moving before the turn and he established a break on the chasing bunch. She really asked him for an effort from the 400m and he dashed away running the last 400m in 22.18s (4.62 lens better than standard time). His 10.58s split from the 400-200m put the race to bed as he cruised to the line unchallenged.
This was a very impressive way for Prinzerro to break his maiden after 3 consecutive metro placings in his first 3 starts. He stepped up in distance to 1300m and looks to have the ability to relax in a race. Jamie Kah speaks very highly of this colt and has committed to remain on him to his Gr1 Caulfield Guineas assignment which is a pretty big thing. As Jamie said after the race “ she wished all colts were like him” Next start, all being well, is likely to be the Caulfield Guineas Prelude over 1400m. A good showing there would probably see him take his place in the Classic Caulfield Guineas, Group 1 over 1600m. Phil feels the colts temperament and competitive nature will see him run the 1600m of the Gr1 Guineas out fine.
A 160k purchase from the Yulong Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Sale, Prinzerro is from Dongxing Princess an Exceed And Excel ½ sister to a couple of very smart gallopers that Phillip Stokes knows well. Phillip trained the Dongxing Princess’s 1/2 siblings Group winners Samara Dancer, Éclair Big Bang and stakes-winner Black Sail.
Congratulations to all owners and thankyou to Phillip Stokes and his Team for a great training effort with Prinzerro.
BREEDNET STORY BELOW
CAULFIELD GUINEAS HOPEFUL FOR PIERRO
TARA MAGWICK – BREEDNET
Breaking his maiden in emphatic style at Sandown on Wednesday was promising Pierro colt Prinzerro, whose trainer Phillip Stokes was talking Caulfield Guineas after the win.
Prinzerro wins impressively at Sandown – image Pat Scala / Racing Photos
A close second to subsequent stakes-placed colt Scentify at his most recent run at Moonee Valley last month, Prinzerro was ridden a positive race by Jamie Kah in the 1300m maiden and powered clear for an easy length and a half win.
“To get the win today was great and he can now go to the Guineas Prelude in 10 days time and we can see where he sits,” said Phillip Stokes. “He’s a lovely horse, got a great temperament and is a real trier, so I don’t think 1400 and a mile will be a problem.”
Prinzerro is the second winner from Dongxing Princess, a half-sister by Exceed and Excel to Group winners Samara Dancer, Éclair Big Bang and stakes-winner Black Sail.
RACING.COM STORY BELOW
GUINEAS AIM FOR PRINZERRO
Kate Watts@katewatts_
13 September, 2023
Pierro colt Prinzerro has strengthened his Caulfield Guineas claims with an impressive maiden victory partnered by jockey Jamie Kah at Sandown on Wednesday. Racing for Phillip Stokes in the Bennett Racing colours, the three-year-old controlled the 1300-metre contest with Kah taking him strongly to the front early from the widest gate. Once they hit the front, Kah slackened the tempo before pushing the button on the colt heading around the home turn as he sustained his lead down the straight to win by a length-and-a-half. The progressive entire had placed in each of his three career runs leading into the maiden victory, including his last-start second – when also partnered by Kah – half a length behind Scentify at The Valley. He continued a winning run for the Stokes yard, which is currently striking at 24 per cent from its past 50 runners.
Post-race, the Pakenham-based trainer confirmed he will be targeted at the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and said he was happy to see the colt break the maiden after “It was well-deserved, he’s a real trier this horse so to get the win was great,” he said. “We go to (Guineas) Prelude in two weeks now and just see where he sits. “Why not, he’s still an entire, we’ll live the dream. “He’s a lovely horse, got a great temperament, a real trier and I don’t think the 1400m or a mile will be a problem. “He did a little bit of work to get there but then he relaxed nicely and very versatile.”
Kah said she was impressed with the development he’d taken since she partnered him at his previous start. “He’s improved a lot and he had to do it both ends today, I had to press him early,” she said. “But I just love the way he kicked and he just kept finding. “I didn’t really ask him much late, but he still really ground to the line well. “He’s still got a bit of fitness improvement as well, I just wish all colts were like that, he’s such a well-behaved animal. “Keep pushing him along and see how he goes, but he’s improving every time and he can’t do much else than win like that so really pleased with him.”