Progressive Mare heads Kiwi-bred trifecta on Oaks Day

Media Release - Thursday November 7

New Zealand-breds finished first, second and third in the A$150,000 Good Friday Appeal Trophy (2000m) on the Crown Oaks undercard at Flemington on Thursday, headed by a lightly raced mare whose star is on the rise.

Alma Rise Claims Victory in the A$150,000 Good Friday Appeal Trophy (2000m) Photo Bruno Cannatelli

The aptly named Alma Rise(NZ) (Almanzor) recorded her third win from only a six-start career in Thursday’s Benchmark 80 handicap. The Almanzor mare has placed in all of the other three, including a runner-up finish in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) in April, and has now earned A$203,125 in stakes.

Alma Rise was sent out as favourite on Thursday on the strength of her last-start success at Moe in mid-October, but the four-year-old’s prospects looked less rosy when she was trapped behind a wall of horses at the top of the straight.

Jockey Luke Nolen eventually found a way through with around 250m remaining and Alma Rise took care of the rest, pulling clear to win by two and a quarter lengths from fellow Kiwi-breds Le Zeba and Flamin’ Romans.

“I was just glad they stayed on their feet,” said Katherine Coleman, who trains in partnership with Peter Moody. “It got pretty tight, but Luke is very competitive and this is a very good mare.

“She’s really classy. She’s been a bit immature, both physically and mentally, so we’ve taken our time with her. We’ll see how she comes through this one and then take it step by step, but she is a really exciting horse to have in the stable.”

Nolen now boasts a perfect two-from-two record on Alma Rise, having ridden her for the first time at Moe last month.

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“I had to fold the mirrors back today and slide through,” he said. “I had a lap full of horse and we got through them pretty well. She won convincingly in the end.

“She wasn’t that impressive or dynamic at Moe last start. She probably should’ve run last. She came off the bridle and was floundering in the wet going. She was far more effective on top of the ground today and is a mare with nice scope. She’ll be better even further out in trip. She’s a stayer with nice class.

“An inexperienced horse in the wide open spaces here at Flemington is pretty daunting. While she put a gap on them, I think she could be more brilliant with the benefit of experience.

“Off-season stakes races are probably the next port of call, and next year she’ll be in the thick of it.”

Bred by Ed Calvert and raced with his family, Alma Rise is a daughter of the Bertolini mare Fashion Black, who won six races.

Fashion Black is a half-sister to the dual Group One winner and sire Xtravagant, whose brother He’s Remarkable won at Group Three level and was Group One-placed on both sides of the Tasman. – NZ Racing Desk.

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Race Result - Good Friday Appeal Trophy (Bm80) 2000m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 2:03.02
1
Alma Rise
- 4m Almanzor (FR) x Fashion Black (NZ) (Bertolini (USA))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: L Nolen 55.5
2
2.3
Le Zebra
- 4g Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Angel Del Dinero (NZ) (My Halo (ARG))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: Damian Lane 60
3
2.7
Flamin' Romans
- 5g Ghibellines (AUS) x Inferno (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: John Allen 60.5
4
3
Nearing Liberty
- 4g Impending (AUS) x Freedom Road (AUS) (Good Journey (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Brown Rdr: B Melham 56
5
3.8
Duke Of Condicote
- 8g No Nay Never (USA) x Duchess Of Gazeley (IRE) (Halling (USA))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 59
6
4.2
Motorace
- 4g Denman (AUS) x Teneales Pearl (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Hickmott Rdr: Todd Pannell 59.5
7
4.5
Dublin Journal
- 7g Teofilo (IRE) x Ceist Eile (IRE) (Noverre (USA))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M Zahra 60
8
5.8
Autumn Storm
- 4g The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Tap This (AUS) (Tapit (USA))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Jye McNeil 55
9
6
Matriarch Rose
- 5m Epaulette (AUS) x Antonia (AUS) (Lope De Vega (IRE))
Tnr: Dan O'Sullivan Rdr: J Mott 57.5
10
8
Verifier
- 5g Tivaci (AUS) x Checkout (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: N A Blackiston Rdr: D W Stackhouse 56.5
11
8
Bulawayo
- 4g Fiorente (IRE) x Sense In The City (AUS) (Street Sense (USA))
Tnr: Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rdr: Celine Gaudray 54
12
9.5
The Gadget Man
- 6g Jack Hobbs (GB) x Kallisha (GB) (Whipper (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Moreira 58
13
10
Heavenly Eagle
- 6g Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Kings Daughter (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: S V Brown Rdr: Craig Williams 55.5
14
10.2
Karburan
- 5g Zarak (FR) x Lilly Du Havre (FR) (Le Havre (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: L Currie 58
15
14.2
Soul Choice
- 5m Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Thislilsoulofmine (CAN) (Perfect Soul (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 59.5
16
26.2
Sunsource
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Patricia Dawn (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: N Rawiller 59
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