Crowning Glory For Princess Sadie

Group One performer Princess Sadie (NZ) (Muscle Mass) has been knocking on the door of a stakes victory for some time and last week she achieved that feat when taking out the Group Three The Dark Horse Mares Handicap Trot (2200m) at Ascot Park.

The four-year-old daughter of Muscle Mass began well off her front mark to take an early trail behind Nubliah Chamay (NZ) (Love You) before trainer-driver Matthew Williamson sent her forward to take the lead.

That position was short-lived, with Lil Whip (NZ) (Father Patrick) wrestling the lead with 1100m to go. Princess Sadie enjoyed an economical trip before Lil Whip broke at the 400m when challenged on the outside by Walkinonsunshine (NZ) (Creatine), who took advantage of the situation and opened up several lengths on the pack.

Princess Sadie took chase, and while she needed the entire length of the straight, she was able to nab Walkinonsunshine on the line to win by a head.

“A few things didn’t go to plan, but we got there in the end,” Williamson said. “We were following the right one, but then it galloped on the last bend and she went to pull up with it, she thought the job was done and forgot to chase down Walkinonsunshine, but that last 50m, she really got into her work and charged to the line.”

Williamson was rapt to get the Group victory with Princess Sadie, who he purchased for $15,000 out of L. Smith’s 2022 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft.

“It is a great thrill, it is huge for the stable,” he said. “She was the first horse we bought at the yearling sales, she’s got a great group of owners and they’re great friends. They support her every time — win, lose or draw — and they have so much fun. I know they would have got an absolutely huge thrill out of this.”

Princess Sadie is out of Shell Seeker, a daughter of multiple Group One winner Solar Fire and a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Sheemon and Group Three performer Fratellino.

She has been a model of consistency for Williamson, winning seven and placing in nine of her 25 starts, including placing in the Group One New Zealand Trotting Oaks (1980m) and Group One Ace Of Hearts Mobile Trot (1980m), and has accrued more than $208,000 in prizemoney to date.