Trainer Scott Aspery believes that it would be just reward for consistent mare Estonian Princess if she is able to return to winning form in the 2014 Villiers Stakes at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

Estonian Princess is chasing her first race win since she took out the Carr Stakes earlier this year. Photo by: Steve Hart

Estonian Princess has performed strongly at the highest level of racing since she started her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but is still chasing a maiden win this preparation after finishing a close second in both the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 11 and the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 29.

Aspery told RSN this morning that it has been frustrating not being able to record a race win with Estonian Princess this campaign, but he is hoping that the daughter of Snitzel will be rewarded for her consistent form with a win in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) this weekend.

“She was very unlucky last start, but she seems to be a filly that attracts a bit of trouble in her races,” Aspery said.

“She has trained on well and we are looking forward to tomorrows race.

“It has been a touch frustrating to be honest.

“She gives her all and she is around the mark and she rarely runs a bad race.

“It would be nice to see her clock up that win for this preparation to give her the just reward that she deserves.”

Estonian Princess has shown a degree of tactical versatility during her racing career to date and was only narrowly denied by Neena Rock when she took up the running in the Angst Stakes.

However, Aspery believes that Estonian Princess performs at her best when she is given other horses to chase and he said he is happy for jockey Brenton Avdulla to settle the four-year-old where she jumps in the Villiers Stakes.

“I think her best racing pattern is just to let her settle where she is comfortable and get in a rhythm,” Avdulla said.

“She led by default in the Angst because there was no speed and she jumped a length ahead, so Brenton took the initiative and took up the running.

“She got a bit lost there when they straightened for home with nothing to chase because she is a much better chaser than a leader.

“It wasn’t until the winner came up next to her that she actually knuckled down and got beat by a length.

“She is much better with a bum to run down that is for sure.”

Estonian Princess is currently available at 2014 Villiers Stakes odds of $8, while Sir Moments ($4.60) is a clear favourite from Strawberry Boy ($6) and Rudy ($6).