El Roca 4YO Wins Again

Media Release - Thursday July 25

Promising four-year-old Martell handled the step up to open grade with aplomb at Arawa Park on Thursday when beating home a handy field in the Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua 1230.

Martell winning at Arawa Park on Thursday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The son of El Roca jumped well to sit outside leader Caitlyns Wish before getting some cover when apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll elected to push forward to sit parked with Digger.

Turning for home, Martell was guided three-wide by apprentice Jessica Allen and under his featherweight of 52kg he was able to quickly draw level with leader Caitlyns Wish, with the pair going-head-to-head down the straight before Martell was able to get the better of his rival in the concluding stages, winning by a neck.

It was Martell’s sixth win from 15 starts and trainer Jim Collett was pleased with the way he handled the step up to open grade.

“He was well placed with the allowance, and he was well ridden,” Collett said. “He is a horse on the up, he has only had limited starts and he tries hard and likes that sort of ground (Heavy10).

“He has matured this time in. As a three-year-old he was a bit weak, he is stronger now, he has got confidence, and he is running well.”

Advertisement

While tempted to now tackle stakes company with his charge, Collett said he will opt to take a more cautious approach for the remainder of his preparation.

“He is not ready for anything major just yet. You could get carried away and put him in a Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m), but it is a level too far for him at the moment,” Collett said.

“I may go back to Te Rapa with him for an Open sprint over 1200m before giving him another run at Hawke’s Bay. As soon as the tracks firm up, I will give him a nice, long spell and hopefully he comes back stronger again.”

Looking ahead to the weekend, Collett will line-up just the one runner at Te Rapa on Saturday, with last start runner-up Tregor set to tackle the New World Taumarunui Mile (1600m).

“Tregor is in good form, he is in similar form to last start,” Collett said. “I am happy with him and given a bit of luck in the race he has got to go close.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua Hcp 1230m

Arawa Park Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:15.59
1
Martell
- 4g El Roca (AUS) x Myrcella (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: J C Collett Rdr: Jessica Allen 52
2
0.3
Caitlyns Wish
- 4m Belardo (IRE) x Sinalot (NZ) (St Petersburg (AUS))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: M J Sanson 56.5
3
3.1
Thunder
- 8g Niagara (AUS) x Alberta (NZ) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: W B Kennedy 55
4
3.3
Casino Princess
- 5m Casino Prince (AUS) x Sonsy (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: C E Goss Rdr: T C Moodley 58
5
6.6
Digger
- 5g Redwood (GB) x Riverina Girl (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: D B Hollinshead Rdr: A Lawson-Carroll 52
6
7.1
New York Jazz
- 8g Niagara (AUS) x Shesalljazz (NZ) (Coats Choice (AUS))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: J Nishizuka 50
More Reading...
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two win as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favouurite.
Promising Winner for El Roca
Lightly raced galloper Martell lived up to his trainer’s expectations when he downed a handy field of three-year-olds over 1100m at Te Rapa.
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.