Jockey Mitch Aitken has always had a high regard for Regina Dei Re and his faith in the mare was rewarded when he steered her to an emphatic maiden win at Pakenham on Thursday night.
“I always thought she had a bit of ability,” said Mitch after the Street Boss four-year-old romped home 3-1/4 lengths ahead of $2.25 favourite Cabaret Queen in the El Jannah Maiden Plate (1000m).
“I thought she’d win her maiden a lot earlier in her career but they have been very patient with her.”
Owned by Hirsch Racing, Regina Dei Re was fancied at $3.60 and eased back second last early before making a wide run in the home straight, finishing near the outside rail.
“I didn’t necessarily want to be that wide, but she got a little bit lost and a bit green when she hit the front, which she has done previously, so I was aware of that, and just wanted to make sure she hitting the line strongly,” Mitch said.
With couple of reminders with the whip, Regina Dei Re knuckled down to the task after surging to the lead near the 150m mark.
“She’s just improved every time she stepped out and, this preparation especially, she’s quietened down a lot.”
Trainer Vincent Malady used a stallion chain and a crossover-noseband on her last start which showed encouraging results when she finished a pleasing first-up third at Yarra Valley
“She has needed time and is settling much better which gives us hope that she will eventually get over more ground like her mother, Laura’s Charm,” Vincent said.
Laura’s Charm won 10 races and more than $640,000 in prizemoney, including was a Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.