As the route to the native-bred three-year-old Classic campaign progresses, chestnut colt King's Crown made his debut with a win on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
Travelling five furlongs round, the King’s Crown by Berlino Di Tiger out of Dancing Queen) came from well off the pace to beat competitors by a length and quarter in a maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-olds.
Although the final time of 1:03.2 for the distance wasn't something to gloat about or be happy with, the style of victory was that of a horse with ability.
Trainer Steven Todd was very pleased with the performance of his charge.
“He gave a workmanlike performance. King’s Crown missed the break, got into a lot of traffic problems, and showed a lot of professionalism to still get the win,” Todd said.
It wasn’t the best of starts for King's Crown, as the chestnut colt raced into second-to-last position in the seven-horse field going into the half-mile turn.
King’s Crown chased The Soul Warrior (Javaniel Pattersn), Ruby’s Light (Oshane Nugent), Mack and Rome (Robert Halledeen), Roman Princess (Everton Stone), and Bold Shadow (Youville Pinnock), navigating the turn.
Coming off the turn for home he was off the lead as Mack and Rome took carried the field. King’s Crown responded well to the urgings of jockey Tevin Foster and produced a strong run between horses in the final half-furlong (100m) to win easily. Mack and Rome were second, and The Soul Warrior finished third.
“It took time and patience with him. We have been working with this horse for a long time now, and during that time he has shown good ability. We had to make some equipment changes along the way to get him comfortable with the right equipment, and we waited on the race,” Todd said.
As to King’s Crown’s participation in the upcoming Triple Crown series of races, Todd was guarded in his response.
“King’s Crown is bred for sprinting, and so we will see if he can use some form of class and set some journeys,” he said.
