Prisca capped a consistent and improving formline with a commanding maiden victory in Friday’s Taupo Vet Centre (1800m).
The Puccini mare kicked off her career with an unplaced finish over 1400m at Matamata in May, which she followed up with sixth placings over the same distance at Taupo and Te Rapa. A strong-finishing second at Tauranga in early July prompted an increase in distance, running fifth over 1600m, third over 1800m and second over 1600m.
Prisca stepped back up to 1800m on Friday and produced her best performance yet, racing in a prominent position and then taking command before the home turn.
Under a hands-and-heels ride down the straight from Lynsey Satherley, Prisca opened up a winning margin of 4-1/2 lengths over Moon and Mood Painter.
“She did a really good job today,” said trainer Catherine Cameron, who also owns and co-bred the five-year-old.
“She’s been consistent and very honest all the way through, so it was pleasing to see her get that maiden win today and do it so comfortably.”
Prisca became the sixth winner from six named foals out of the O’Reilly mare Molly ‘O. That group also includes the speedy Oh Hermani, who Cameron trained to win three times in only a six-start career between September of 2022 and July of 2023. Oh Hermani’s slick wins came over 970m, 1100m and 1200m, which is a stark contrast to Prisca’s powerhouse performance over 1800m on Friday.
“They’re only out of a little mare, and none of her foals apart from Prisca have had much size to them,” Cameron said. “Prisca is a little bit bigger and is probably bred to go that bit further. She’s also not quite as feisty as her sister.
“Oh Hermani unfortunately did a tendon and had to be retired. She had six starts for three very good wins, so she was there for a good time, not a long time. But we’ve found a good home for her and she’ll enjoy a nice retirement.”
Cameron hopes Prisca’s success on Friday could be the start of a successful weekend, with Cyber Patch and Islebefine both lining up in the Barfoot & Thompson (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Former Hong Kong galloper Cyber Patch has made a promising start to his New Zealand career, recording close second placings at Ruakaka and Te Rapa in his first two appearances.
Islebefine is reverting to maiden company after a pair of solid efforts against winners on the Cambridge synthetic track. She ran second in the Martin Collins New Zealand MAAT (2000m) on July 24, then finished fourth in Rating 68 company.
“Cyber Patch has run really well in those first couple of runs and looks like quite a nice horse to carry on with through the spring and summer,” Cameron said. “Hopefully he can hold on to that good form and be very competitive again on Saturday.
“I thought Islebefine ran two very good races against winners on the synthetic. We’ve freshened her up and we’re switching to grass for this race, but she’s back down against maidens.
“I think they should be a couple of nice chances if they can hold on to their form.”
