Stakes-Winning 2YO for Charm Spirit from Australian Royal Family

Tara Madgwick - Saturday July 29

In a thrilling finish to the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m), Cambridge visitor and race favourite Itza Charmdeel got in the deciding stride at the winning post to claim the two-year-old feature at Otaki.

Itza Charmdeel and Sam Weatherley claim the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) on the final lunge at the post.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained son of Charm Spirit went into the race as an impressive last-start winner at Rotorua and attracted strong support to close off as the $2.70 Fixed Odds favourite.

Punters could be excused at feeling slightly sick when rider Sam Weatherley found himself squeezed out of a gap at the point of the home turn when attempting to lodge his finishing burst.

Weatherley balanced him up as he sought better going out wide and he charged after eventual runner-up Quirky Habits and Medatsu, who were fighting out a desperate finish.

With a couple of large bounds Itza Charmdeel thrust his head in front where it mattered to the delight of his large band of owners who were on-course to celebrate the victory.

Wellwood admitted he was thankful to see hear judge Dick Hunt announce his charge as the winner after some lengthy deliberations.

“I’ve watched the replay a few times on television now and I’m still not sure he got there,” Wellwood said.

“I’m certainly glad he got the call as I think he would have been hard done by to get beaten after he eased himself out of the gap between those two horses entering the straight.

“I think he just didn’t like being squeezed up but when he found clear air Sam said he really lengthened stride and just flew the last 50m.

Advertisement

“He had won well on a similar track at Rotorua and had worked well since then, but you always need a little luck on your side to get a win like this and it was our turn today.”

Wellwood advised the horse would now go out for a well-earned break after more than exceeding expectations during his three-race campaign.

“He is still very immature both mentally and physically, so a nice break now will do him the world of good,” he said.

“To be fair, we didn’t think he would get this far as he appeals as more of a three-year-old type, so to do what he has is very exciting looking ahead to next season.

“Sam did say he felt his action would be better suited to good ground so he could be quite a nice prospect around Christmas time once he comes back into work.”

Out of the Dundeel mare Whatadeel, Itza Charmdeel is closely related to a host of Australian stakes performers including former Australian Champion three-year-old miler of 1999-2000 and internationally acclaimed stallion Redoute’s Choice. His dam Whatadeel is from a winning full sister to Rubick.

Itza Charmdeel  is the 17th stakes-winner for Charm Spirit, who currently has the best sprinting three year-old in Europe in dual Group I winner Shaquille.

-LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes LR 1200m

Otaki Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:17.57
1
Itza Charmdeel
- 2g Charm Spirit (IRE) x Whatadeel (AUS) (Dundeel (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: S R Weatherley 57
2
0.1
Quirky Habits
- 2g Belardo (IRE) x Eastern Eclipse (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: S & E Clotworthy Rdr: M Singh 57
3
0.2
Medatsu
- 2g Staphanos (JPN) x Christine Ann (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: C R Isdale Rdr: M K Hudson 57
4
2.5
Crickets Chirping
- 2f Belardo (IRE) x Hot In Pink (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: L J Allpress 55
5
3.3
Jetalal
- 2f Ocean Emperor (NZ) x Mendip (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: J R Wheeler Rdr: C R Barnes 55
6
4.1
Ride Sally Ride
- 2f U S Navy Flag (USA) x Mustang Sally (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret (GB))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: K L Chung 55
7
4.2
Bodacious Kate
- 2f Derryn (AUS) x Astrid (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: A C Baker Rdr: T J Bau 55
8
5.0
Let's Get Loose
- 2f Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Moirai (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: L Sutherland 55
9
6.8
Wal
- 2g Staphanos (JPN) x Savadashian (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Peter Didham Rdr: B E Grylls 57
10
6.9
Tonia's Dragon
- 2f Time Test (GB) x Camillino (NZ) (Per Incanto (USA))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: K L Hannan 55
More Reading...
Almanzor Colt Wins G2 Italian Derby
Wootton Bassett sired the winner of the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Sunday in Camille Pissarro and then overnight his champion Cambridge Stud based son Almanzor (Fr) produced the winner of the Group II Derby Italiano (2200m).
Winx to Visit Too Darn Hot
World champion racehorse Winx is set for a new chapter in her stud career this spring with an announcement from her ownership group of Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Elizabeth Treweeke that Too Darn Hot (GB) is the chosen one.
Pencarrow Stud hits a hundred winners in stellar season
Pencarrow Stud has celebrated an outstanding achievement with a century of homebred winners for the season.
Brave Blood
With the Group I Queensland Oaks and Derby to both be run at Eagle Farm this Saturday, after appalling weather forced racing to be abandoned last week, there is no chance this year of one horse winning both, but a filly that achieved the feat in 1988 is playing a key role in this year’s carnival.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 2
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$850,000 Extreme Choice Colt Equals MM National Yearling Record
A stunning colt by Extreme Choice equalled the all time record price at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast today when he sold for $850,000.
In-Demand Stallions Feature in NZB Weanling Sale Catalogue
The catalogue for the 2025 NZB National Weanling Sale features the progeny of a broad range of sires, from proven topliners to exciting up-and-comers as well as the brand-new kid on the block, Profondo.
G3 Fred Best Showdown for Quality Colts – Rosemont vs Yulong
The rescheduled $300,000 Group III BRC Fred Best Classic (1350m) brings stakes racing to a Wednesday this week with a field of 17 to go around at Doomben and at the head of the market is a pair of quality colts.
Impressive First Winner for St Marks Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) was the 2021 European Horse of the Year and the son of Siyouni is on the board as a sire with his first winner after Rogue Supremacy scored an impressive debut victory.
One to Watch – Echuca
Twin Hills Stud’s Peltzer had an impressive winner at Echuca on Tuesday for his breeder Olly Tait.