TWO-year-old filly Pine Princess, a debut winner over 1200m at Scottsville last week, showed her class by reverting to 1000m to win the KV Shipping King’s Pact Stakes at Clairwood on Sunday.

Slow off the mark in a small field with plenty of pace around her, Pine Princess made up the ground, appeared under pressure at halfway but found her stride again to win going away under jockey Muzi Yeni.

Pine Princess won well after an awkward start.

“They were shouting ‘wait’ at the start. Pine Princess stood back and fell out of the gate,” reported Yeni, who rode a good race in getting the filly back into contention and then nudged her along to find her stride in good time.

He added: “The plan was to break well and get her up there, but that didn’t happen. She dropped the bit and I had to nurse her through, but when I squeezed her at the 200m she responded well. She’s useful and well-bred, she could go on from here.”

Assistant trainer John Buckler said: “She’s a leggy filly and she was game today, well done to the owners. Sharasal (third) also ran well on her debut, she’s immature and will be better over 1200m.”

Pine Princess is owned by Maine Chance Farms: (Nominees Dr Andreas and Mrs Natalie Jacobs), together with Mrs John Magnier from Coolmore and Mrs Paul Shanahan, who will be eyeing feature success with Pine Princess, who looks like she has the mettle and is likely to enjoy more ground – all promising.

Pine Princess was raised at Highlands, she’s by Captain Al from Scent Of Pine, by Badger Land.

Rockaberry Lane, no sweat.

Owners Mike and Norma Rattray from Lammerskraal Stud will have high hopes, too, for Western Winter’s well-related three-year-old daughter, Rockaberry Lane, who scored a facile win in Race 1 over 1200m under Anthony Delpech.

Rockaberry Lane was beaten when favourite on her 1450m debut last December but has obviously matured and improved since and is one with the pedigree and scope to win a few more.