Turner’s Queen To Own Natasha Stakes

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Thoroughbred

Troy Turner’s confidence in Own The Queen is sky high and he expects the filly will handle a rise in distance in the Natasha Stakes (2200m) at Ascot on Saturday.

The Justine Erkelens-trained Own The Queen is unbeaten this campaign and extended her winning sequence to three straight in last fortnight’s Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) when she defeated Miss Skyhigh by one length.

Miss Skyhigh, from the powerful Grant and Alana Williams stable, ran on strongly from the back of the field, clocking the fastest last 600m of the race and with 54kg she gets a 2kg weight advantage on Own The Queen in their Natasha rematch.

Punters can’t split the pair with Own The Queen and Miss Skyhigh currently co favourites at $2.40,

Turner thinks his filly has the edge and believes she should have no worries racing an extra 400m in the Natasha Stakes.

“Justine (Erkelens) and the team have done a good job to get her this far,” Turner said on Tabradio.

“I’m looking forward to seeing if she can run out the trip.

“To be honest she doesn’t know how much ability she’s got.

“She puts paid to them, but then gets a bit lost at the end of her races.

“Hopefully she settles alright and finishes off the race over the trip.

“It is a test, but she’s got all the writings on the board at the moment to suggest she will get the distance.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do tomorrow.”

Own The Queen, who suffered her only defeat on debut in December, jumps from barrier six.

Miss Skyhigh, to be ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter, has drawn barrier one in the field of eight runners.

Johnston Porter won the Natasha Stakes with Constant Dreaming two years ago.

Turner had his success in 2013 with Moreish.

Meanwhile, Turner’s mount in the Peters Investments Handicap (1400m), Wubin Gold, is the $3.40 favourite.

An exciting winner at her opening two races last August at Belmont, Wubin Gold ran a solid second to Angel Undercover when resuming on February 24.

“I felt I put her out of her comfort zone by chasing the leader,” Turner said.

“Tomorrow (Saturday) 1400m will probably suit her a bit better where I can ride her where she’s comfortable.

“Hopefully she’ll hit the line a lot better.

“It’s been three weeks since her last run and Colin’s (Webster) put a lot more work into her.

“She’s come on nicely now.”

Julio Santarelli