International Horse Profile: Queen of Hawaii

Out of a full sister to 2018 Juvenile Turf star Line of Duty, Queen of Hawaii is a fascinating classic prospect for Joseph O’Brien. The only question is if we’ll see her at her peak at Del Mar, or if it’s all about next year. 

Queen of Hawaii is by the outstanding miler Kingman, but her dam, Hibiscus, broke her maiden over 1 1/4 miles and placed in the 1 1/2-mile Brown Panther S. at the Curragh. The Galileo mare is also responsible for Up and Under, who placed in a pair of 1 1/4-mile classic trials at Leopardstown. 

Hibiscus’ brother, Line of Duty, won the nine-furlong Prix de Conde (G3) before cutting back to a mile in the Juvenile Turf over a yielding Churchill Downs course. Another full sibling, Group 3 scorer Jackie Oh, turned in her best pieces of form when missing narrowly in the Prix de l’Opera (G1) and the British Champions Fillies & Mares (G1). 

Sent off at 16-1 in her educational debut, going seven furlongs at the Curragh, Queen of Hawaii stayed on from well back to finish sixth of 13. The winner of that historically key maiden, Composing, would extend her streak in the Silver Flash (G3) and Debutante (G2). 

Queen of Hawaii blossomed next time over a mile at Leopardstown, as predicted by her greater market support at about 3-1. Into the game from the start, Queen of Hawaii stalked front-running Minerva, wore her down, and rolled by 2 1/2 lengths. Minerva has been frustrating to follow, but she was second next out to highly-regarded Ballydoyle stablemate Diamond Necklace. 

Sticking to a mile for the Newtownanner Stud (aka the Flame of Tara) (G3) at the Curragh, Queen of Hawaii disposed of better company in the manner of a very classy filly. She engineered a similar stalk-and-pounce trip while traveling better than pacesetting favorite Sugar Island, who weakened to fifth. Fellow pace-tracker Moments of Joy kept on and tried to tussle, but Queen of Hawaii stretched clear. Her sectionals for the sixth and seventh furlongs – :11.38 and :11.24 – establish that she’s got a proper kick. 

Although Queen of Hawaii had options to revert to seven furlongs, the Fillies’ Mile (G1) at Newmarket was the most attractive target. Unfortunately, she was scratched with a veterinary certificate (listed “other,” with no specified reason). 
 

Moments of Joy and Sugar Island both ran in the Fillies’ Mile, but neither did much for Queen of Hawaii’s form when winding up fifth and ninth, respectively, behind Precise. But both have run better elsewhere – Moments of Joy was third in Royal Ascot’s Chesham, and Sugar Island placed third in the May Hill (G2) before ending the year on a high in the Staffordstown Stud (aka Silken Glider) (G3). 

Queen of Hawaii has the makings of a Grade/Group 1 performer, with her ability to travel and quicken. Those qualities would serve her well here if she’s ready to adapt to a two-turn mile around a sharp track.