Mick Price has a good opinion of well bred two-year-old Queen’s Ransom who overcame the outside barrier and a belated start to her career to make a winning debut at Sandown.
The Red Ransom filly ran third in an official barrier trial at Cranbourne last October but was spelled without racing last spring.
“She went shin sore and was a bit immature,” Price said.
“Two weeks ago she had a cold so we had to stop and start again.
“But she’s a great tempered, sound filly and she put herself outside the speed and kicked a bit.
“I think there’s going to be improvement in her too. She’s a nice filly and should train on.
“We’ll just get her home and play around with her a little bit and then give her another run. It was a good effort today.”
Ridden by Melbourne jockeys’ premiership leader Craig Newitt, Queen’s Ransom ($11) went forward in the 12-horse field and took out the Event Landscaping Solutions Hcp (1000m) by three-quarters of a length from another first starter Triquetra ($26).
Clinking ($7) was a half-length away third.
The victory gave Newitt his 59th Melbourne winner for the season, taking him three clear of nearest rival Luke Nolen with Dwayne Dunn on 46.
Bred by her owner John Hoare, Queen’s Ransom is a half-sister to Gaelic Princess who was also prepared by Price.
In 2003 Gaelic Princess ran second in the Blue Diamond Preview, third in the Blue Diamond Prelude and fourth in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes won by Kusi.
She is from the Kenmare mare Celtic Lass, a three-time metropolitan winner in Melbourne and half-sister to Group One One Thousand Guineas winner Lady Of The Pines.
