A strong closing effort by Own The Queen to take out her 1200m heat at Belmont trials this morning (Monday) has lifted the spirits of the glamour mare's trainer, Justine Erkelens.
In her first official hit out since her autumn blitz earlier this year, Justine Erkelens believes Own The Queen is back on track after a minor setback delayed her comeback to the races.
The Awesome Rock four-year-old has not raced since being unplaced in the WA Derby (2400m) in April, the only blip in what otherwise was a flawless campaign of racing.
Claiming five straight races, Own The Queen took out a Listed double in the Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) and Natasha Stakes (2200m), before proving her superiority in the G3 WA Oaks (2400m).
Erkelens, based at Muchea, has shrugged off any concerns over Own The Queen's fitness, but admits she's had to shelve Group 1 ambitions and readjust Ascot Pinnacle carnival aims for her stable star.
"We were going to aim for the Northerly (1800m), but she had a bit of a hiccup and a setback," Erkelens told Racing WA.
"We now are going down to the fillies and mare's path.
"The setback was nothing major, but she missed a couple of weeks.
"We are behind the eight ball for the Northerly.
"She's only four, so she can run it next year.
"She's only had seven starts and wasn't ready for it
"There's going to be nice races for her this prep."
In a five-horse trial, Own The Queen, with regular rider, Troy Turner in the saddle, raced on the flanks of pacesetter Camorra before taking him on for the lead rounding the bend.
Own The Queen went to the line under her own steam and scored by 1.4 lengths from Camorra, the pair streaking ahead of their next competitor, Miss Santa Corrs, by seven lengths.
Erkelens was delighted with how Own The Queen recovered from her heat.
"She's looking good to get to the races," Erkelens said.
"She's doing everything we've asked of her.
"She had a good hit out and pulled up good, heart rate spot on.
"I'll see how she pulls up in the next couple of days.
"I might trial her again or go to a 1400m.
"I will let the next couple days to decide."
