The Princess has rested, so the Princess is now ready
Jonny Turner • June 19th, 2025 10:16 AM • 4 min read
Wyndham punters will need to choose between outstanding age-group form and rock-hard fitness on Thursday. Princess Sadie will line up in a Silk Road Trotting Series heat, her first start since signing off an excellent three-year-old season in December.
Just two starts ago, the now four-year-old mare ran second behind superstar Aussie Keayang Zahara in the Group One New Zealand Trotting Oaks. It looks outstanding form to bring to Young Quinn Raceway, even if the trotter has a 20m handicap to overcome.
While her class can’t be doubted, Princess Sadie’s fitness can be given she hasn’t started in over six months. Trainer Matthew Williamson has prepped his stable star with two trials and is confident Princess Sadie is ready to make her presence felt.
“I have been happy with both of her trials; she has had a good build-up,” Williamson said. “She is as ready as she can be without having had a race. “You can’t beat race fitness but knowing her and what she is capable of, I would think she is ready to run a nice race.”
Williamson opted to give Princess Sadie a good break at the end of her three-year-old season, ruling her out of autumn feature racing. It’s a decision that has paid off, judging by the mare’s development. “I have been really happy with the way she has come back—she’s definitely carrying more condition now.”
“Hopefully she can show in her races that she’s stronger now.”
Hayden Douglas gets an outstanding opportunity to partner Princess Sadie under Thursday’s junior driver conditions. The reinsman has the job of guiding the trotter away from her first standing start.
“She has stepped away nicely in her trials and is a sensible horse,” Williamson said. “There are only two horses off the 20m, there shouldn’t be too many excuses for her.”
Joyride returns in Thursday’s finale after racing against New Zealand’s best two-year-old fillies last year. Like Princess Sadie, trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety gave the three-year-old a decent break after her last start in December.
Two starts ago, Joyride was fourth behind Stella Rouge and Captains Mistress in the Group One Ace Of Diamonds at Addington.
Also like Princess Sadie, Joyride had two trials ahead of her return. “Her trials have been perfect — she’s been running on nicely in both of them,” Carter Dalgety said. “Her work since then has been great, and even though she’s drawn wide, she looks a nice chance.”
Joyride has drawn barrier 8 in Thursday’s Silk Road Series pacing heat.
