Princess Amelie shows she’s in great order for New Year assignments

Princess Amelie looked on target to score a big win in the New Year when she ran the fastest 1000 metres of the day at the Waverley trials yesterday.

Princess Amelie jumped fast and sat outside the leader Danmulan in the running before taking the lead turning for home.

Held together in the run home by rider Robbie Hannam, she got home by half a head, staving off late challenges by the talented gallopers William Wallace and Scapolo in a slick 58.66.

Trainer Lisa Latta was delighted with the effort, her first serious test since being spelled for three weeks after her win at Trentham in October.

“She’d been in work for a while and there were no good races for her. I’m rapt with the way she’s come up - she just keeps improving.

“I didn’t put the blinkers on her yesterday as I didn’t want her to have too hard a trial.

Princess Amelie … will be worth following in the New Year. PHOTO: Race Images.“But that will clean her up nicely to head to Ellerslie on Boxing Day for a rating 72 1200m.

“It’s not a good race for her, against the older horses but it’s a means to an end. It will give her a run around Ellerslie before we come back on Karaka Million night.’’

The January 26 race Latta has targeted will suit Princess Amelie perfectly, a 1200 metre sprint against her own age group in the $70,000 Mongolian Khan Trophy.

“It’s important we get some black type for her as John (Street) paid a lot of money for her.’’

The Snitzel filly cost $300,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s premier yearling sale at Karaka.

Latta was also taken by the gallop of Authentic Charm yesterday to go under by only half a head in a maiden 1200 metre heat.

“She ended up in the one-one after jumping on a very slow pace - they ran three seconds slower than the previous heat.

“She pulled in the running and, on straightening, tackled the leader and only just went under.’’

Latta is planning an early January debut for the half sister to Authentic Paddy.

“We have a couple of nice options at either Hastings on January 1 or Tauherenikau on January 2.’’

While Platinum Touch ran last of five in an 800 metre two-year-old heat, Latta says she finished only three lengths from the winner.

“She sat in the trail until the turn but when Tim (Johnson) angled out for a run the outside horse ran in a bit and checked her momentum slightly.

“It appears she is looking for further but I will wait to see how she comes through the trial before deciding whether to tackle a two-year-old race in late December.

“It will obviously depend on how her shins are. This is a hard time of year for two-year-olds and she’s a big filly.’’