From Racing.com
ADELAIDE, Australia (May 6, 2023) — Ben and JD Hayes continued their affinity with the Adelaide Goodwood Carnival by winning the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m) with promising filly Caste, by California stallion Sir Prancealot.
The three-year-old filly jumped $6.50 third-favourite and was set a task of overrunning Foxy Frida ($2.90F) in the run to the post but proved too strong under a perfect ride from Michael Dee who brought up a treble.
It was a second successive Stakes victory in Adelaide for the Sir Prancealot filly, who won the Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m) last start.
“That was very impressive in what was a very hard race,” Ben Hayes said. “She came from the rear of the field and just attacked the line over a mile.
“To win a Group 2 when she was so down in the weights – she was poorly weighted – it’s a very good effort.”
Hayes said the paddock would likely beckon for Caste, who is unbeaten this preparation.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun with her coming into spring,” he said.
“We’ve had to take our time with her; to be a Group 2 winner at her sixth start and to win like that, oh it’s just so exciting.
“There’s not much of her. Never make race day decisions, but I’d be leaning towards going to the paddock and targeting her for the spring.
“We’re having a very good run in Adelaide, it’s incredible. I have to thank the Doudle stable, they’re doing a great job looking after the horses.”
Michael Dee rode Caste to win first-up at Sandown and says she is a filly with great potential.
“I thought she was handy before I won on her first up at Sandown,” Dee said.
“She showed a good turn of foot to get through the gaps. She’s got a great turn of foot and it was a very good win.
“She just keeps stepping up, the way she’s winning it’s certainly onwards and upwards from here.”
The win brought up a double for Lindsay Park after Conqueror notched back-to-back wins by taking out the second race on the card.