Michelle Payne
Tara Hughes
Stakes-placed filly Queen Of Zealand has crossed the Tasman and joined the stable of rookie trainer Michelle Payne.
The daughter of Savabeel started twice for Hawera owner-trainer Wayne Jones, running seventh on debut before a third placing behind It's Time For Magic and Luna Rossa in the Listed O'Leary's Fillies' Stakes at Wanganui.
Queen Of Zealand will sport the royal blue and lime hoops, carried to recent success by last year's VRC Oaks heroine Jameka, of principal owners Colin and Janice McKenna.
Like Jameka, the McKennas will race the Kiwi filly with a large group of owners.
"Michelle has been really pleased with the way in which she has settled in," Melbourne syndicator Brendan Tohill said. "The fact she is lightly tried and is yet to race beyond 1200m is a plus. She's by Savabeel and we hope she can be an Oaks filly."
Payne, who holds a dual trainer-jockey licence and won last year's Melbourne Cup aboard the Kiwi-bred stayer Prince of Penzance, said she was excited by the journey ahead and grateful for the support she has received thus far.
The daughter of Savabeel started twice for Hawera owner-trainer Wayne Jones, running seventh on debut before a third placing behind It's Time For Magic and Luna Rossa in the Listed O'Leary's Fillies' Stakes at Wanganui.
Queen Of Zealand will sport the royal blue and lime hoops, carried to recent success by last year's VRC Oaks heroine Jameka, of principal owners Colin and Janice McKenna.
Like Jameka, the McKennas will race the Kiwi filly with a large group of owners.
"Michelle has been really pleased with the way in which she has settled in," Melbourne syndicator Brendan Tohill said. "The fact she is lightly tried and is yet to race beyond 1200m is a plus. She's by Savabeel and we hope she can be an Oaks filly."
Payne, who holds a dual trainer-jockey licence and won last year's Melbourne Cup aboard the Kiwi-bred stayer Prince of Penzance, said she was excited by the journey ahead and grateful for the support she has received thus far.