Prince Of Brooklyn Takes Out National Stakes On Debut

Prince Of Brooklyn finished over the top of his rivals to make a winning start to his racing career in the 2015 National Stakes at Morphettville this afternoon.

Prince Of Brooklyn was settled off the speed by jockey Dale Smith in the early stages of the race, while the clear favourites Strykum and Badajoz were both settled on the speed.

Strykum received a lovely run in transit on the rails, but he was unable to respond when asked for an extra effort by jockey Ben Melham and Prince Of Brooklyn showed an impressive turn-of-foot when he found clear running and he put a gap on his rivals in the final stages of the National Stakes.

Prince Of Brooklyn made his first public appearance when he finished fourth behind Sogno D’oro in a barrier trial over 800 metres at Cranbourne on April 14 and he was set to make his racing debut in the Listed Thoroughbred Club Cup (1200m) at Caulfield on May 2, but he kicked and reared in the starting stall and was scratched after undergoing a veterinary examination.

The National Stakes victory of Prince Of Brooklyn gave leading Melbourne trainer Mick Price his second straight victory in the Group 3 event after he took out last year’s race with Moonovermanhattan, who took out the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) during the 2014 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Badajoz was the market mover with Ladbrokes in the lead-up to the National Stakes and he was able to hit the line fairly to finish second, despite not having a great deal of luck in running.

The Commands colt stamped himself as a horse to watch when he made his racing debut with a dominant three and a half lengths victory in the Micway Cold Logistics Maiden (1100m) at Hawkesbury on April 16 and he produced a green performance, but was still able to finish fourth in the Thoroughbred Club Cup.

Counter Pulse was beaten by Strykum in the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville on May 2, but he was able to produce an improved performance to finish third in the National Stakes.

The National Stakes has been won by a number of classy two-year-olds over the years, but the most impressive winner in recent times has been Rick Hore-Lacy-trained Toorak Toff, who went on to win the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) in 2010 and the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) in 2011.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.