Hawkesbury-based owner-breeder John Simpson’s early patience with Reenact gelding Mary’s Prince is set to reap further dividends at the Sapphire Coast on Sunday.
Trained by John Peiti at Moruya, the four-year-old is looking for back-to-back wins in the Bombala RSL Club-Bermagui Country Club Class 2 Hcp (1200m).
Peiti has been friends with Simpson and his wife Joan for many years.
“John races and breeds a lot of horses. He looked after Mary’s Prince early, gave him time to mature before I got him,” Peiti said.
“Unlike some owners he wasn’t after a quick buck.
“The horse is only young, lightly raced, still learning and open to further development. John’s patience is starting to pay dividends.”
Mary’s Prince, out of the Old Spice mare Hairy Mary, has recorded two wins from four starts, his latest when returning from a 15-week break to score over 1010m at Moruya on April 23.
“One thousand metres isn’t his go, they got away from him early but he hit the line good,” Peiti said.
“He’s improved since then.”
Peiti describes Mary’s Prince as a big strong horse who had a few issues early on that have been ironed out.
“He’s a highly-strung type,” the trainer said.
“Still a bit immature but getting better all the time.
“After he won at Wagga (December 24) he went to Canberra then we spelled him.
“We managed to iron out problems in one preparation, a long one, and he’s returned in good order.
“He was basically in the paddock for eight weeks and in work eight weeks before winning first-up.
“While he was out he put on condition, muscled up. He can be a hard-going horse, wants to go out and do his work, you don’t have to make him.
“Because of that his fitness level comes up pretty quickly.”
Peiti believes stepping up to 1200m will suit Mary’s Prince.
“His breeding suggests he’ll eventually get over a bit of ground,” he said.
“The horse has done well since Moruya. Provided the track isn’t too wet, I think he’ll handle it Sunday.”
AAP TURF
