Achieving the Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series “three-peat” was always trainer Mick Blackmore’s main goal with Claudys Princess.
“That was the one thing I wanted to do with her,” Blackmore said.
“Three years running … it’s a good effort.”
Claudys Princess – by Bacardi Lindy out of All Finesse – found the lead easily from barrier four in the 2240 metres Group 1 final for four-year-old trotting mares tonight at Tabcorp Park Melton before jogging through a 48.2secs lead time.
With no pressure, Claudys Princess was able to amble through her first half before out-sprinting her rivals at the finish for a comfortable 10.4-metre win in a mile rate of 2:01.0.
The win was typically dominant, the mare joining a rare club of horses to win the Super Series final at two, three and four years of age
Kyabram's Blackmore admitted the pressure of training a horse who had gathered such a cult following “got to him sometimes” adding it was a hairy drive to the races tonight in heavy traffic.
“It’s good fun, but it’s a lot of pressure. It gets to you after a while, especially when sitting in traffic for an hour on the way to the races,” he said.
“There was a bad accident tonight and we were sitting there going nowhere. I get nervous at the best of times.
“There’s trucks trying to chop you off – but she doesn’t worry, she just stands there. She walks around here like an old moo cow.”
It is on to the Breeders Crown now for Claudys Princess, who has won 18 of 26 starts.
Tonight she became a five-time Group 1 winner.
Claudys Princess had to be scratched from the Breeders Crown Final last year after sustaining an injury and Blackmore is looking forward to her getting a shot this year.
Illawong Helios – Claudys Princess’s long-term sparring partner – finished second, attacking the line strongly, while Barefoot Sally finished third.
Majestic Grace, a stablemate of the winner, ran fifth.
Watch the replay of Claudys Princess winning the Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series Final
CODY WINNELL