An unexpected trip to the South Island produced a winning debut by Queen’s Evidence (NZ) (King’s Legacy) at Wingatui on Saturday, paving the way for another southern mission later in the autumn.
Queen’s Evidence was a trial winner at Ellerslie on February 11 and then travelled to Otaki last Saturday for what was meant to be her first start. When that meeting was abandoned after one race, trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson decided to send her further down the country.
Saturday’s Grand Casino 2YO (1100m) served as take two for Queen’s Evidence, but the King’s Legacy filly sent another scare through her camp when she reared in the gates and had to be backed out for a vet check.
Queen’s Evidence was cleared to start and it was a procession from there. She was sent straight to the lead by jockey Joe Doyle, then kicked clear at the home turn and cruised to victory by a length and a half over the fast-finishing Professional Lad and Shesascorcher.
“It was a bit of a nervy start,” Doyle said. “She seemed calm beforehand, but then she just reared up in the gates and got a leg stuck over the side. The vet had a good look at her and was happy with her, and I was happy with her too, and she’s gone out and performed very well.
“She was a bit green, changing leads a few times and having a good look around. But when I gave her a squeeze, she picked up very well. I think she’s got more ahead of her.”
Walker and Bergerson are now keen for Queen’s Evidence to chase black type in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton on April 12 and the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on May 3.
“She keeps us on our toes a little bit, but young horses can be a bit like that,” Bergerson said. “She paraded very fresh today. She obviously handled the big trip down here very well – probably too well.
“But once she got in the gates, jumped and went clear, she was able to follow the rail around, which always helps young horses. Hopefully she can go on with it from here.
“The beauty of her winning today is that we’ve now got a bit of time before those two Listed races at Riccarton later in the autumn. We can get her home now and give her a quiet week, which she really deserves, and take it from there. We’ve got a bit to look forward to.”
Queen’s Evidence was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay and is by King’s Legacy out of the twice-winning High Chaparral mare Enjay. That makes Queen’s Evidence a half-sister to three winners including the multiple Group placegetter Familia.
Queen’s Evidence is the third winner from the first two-year-old crop of Coolmore Stud stallion King’s Legacy, who himself won the Gr.1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1600m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m) in Sydney as a two-year-old. Te Akau has already struck black type with the progeny of King’s Legacy, with the promising Born To Be Royal finishing third in last month’s Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
Cambridge Stud offered Queen’s Evidence during Book 1 of Karaka 2024, where Te Akau principal David Ellis bought her for $220,000.
