G2 Eight Carat won by Embellish Filly

Media Release - Thursday December 26

A brilliant front running ride by Courtney Barnes and a never say die attitude from her mount Hitabell provided trainer Stephen Marsh with a Boxing Day double as the trio combined to claim the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie.

Hitabell (inside) finding in the closing stages to defeat Sethito (outside) in the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Marsh, who had produced Provence to win the Westbury Stude Royal Descent Stakes (1400m), had given Hitabell a short freshen up after the filly produced a similar winning performance in the Listed O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui last month, but this time chose to step her up to the 1600m distance for the first time in her career.

Expected to run well but perhaps not trouble the $1.80 hot favourite Sethito, Barnes and Hitabell had other ideas as they set up a leisurely pace to suit themselves as the favourite found herself three-wide in the early stages, before sliding up outside the leader at the 800m.

Turning for home there were many in contention, however both Hitabell and Sethito were kicking on strongly and at the 200m had the finish to themselves.

In a head-bobbing finish, it was Hitabell who proved the tougher of the two as she defeated Sethito by a nose, with Real Class dashing late to take third.

Barnes was delighted how well her mount fought to the bitter end as she refused to yield to the favourite Sethito.

“It was a very good win and she was just so brave,” she said.

Advertisement

“We wanted to be positive from the barrier and when she jumped so well, she put herself on the pace and we could control things from there.

“I was a little worried when the other one (Sethito) cruised up alongside us, but I could feel her building underneath me and she just wouldn’t give in.

“That is the furthest she has gone but the way she relaxes there is nothing to say she couldn’t get a little further than the mile.”

Purchased by Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for just $9,500 from the 2023 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, Hitabell has now had five starts for three wins and $217,110 in stakes and is raced by a group that includes her breeder Sarah Devcich, who owns and operates Henley Park alongside her husband Marc.

Hitabell is a rising star for Cambridge Stud based sire Embellish.

The third individual stakes winner for Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish, Hitabell is out of a half-sister to the Eight Carat Classic, Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic winner Shikoba (NZ) (Chief Bearhart). That daughter of Chief Bearhart also placed in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), and was New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year in 2005-06. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic Gr2 1600m

Ellerslie Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:37.43
1
Hitabell
- 3f Embellish (NZ) x Anahita (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C R Barnes 56.5
2
0.1
Sethito
- 3f Super Seth (AUS) x Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: B Shinn 56.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $325,000
Seller: Waikato Stud Ltd
Buyer: John O'Shea Racing / James Bester Bloodstock
3
1.1
Real Class
- 3f Vadamos (FR) x Mill Duckie (NZ) (Magic Ring (IRE))
Tnr: Ms J K Mahoney Rdr: R Hutchings 56.5
4
1.4
Prosegur
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Cape Treasure (AUS) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: M Hashizume 56.5
5
2.2
Myakkabelle
- 3f War Decree (USA) x Myakka Park (IRE) (Lawman (FR))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
6
3
Astoria Brooke
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x Astor (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: C W Cole Rdr: M J Mc Nab 56.5
7
3.3
Reggae Queen
- 3f Exceedance (AUS) x Calypso Queen (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Kelly Van Dyk Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 56.5
8
3.6
Honey Badger
- 3f El Roca (AUS) x Sacred Vow (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: K Stott 56.5
9
5
Romilly
- 3f So You Think (NZ) x Idlewild (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: W B Kennedy 56.5
10
5
Vesphire
- 3f Vespa (NZ) x Sapphire Sky (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: R R Manning Rdr: K A Myers 56.5
11
6.6
Fun Never Sets
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Its All Fun (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K A Hoskin Rdr: G Rooke 56.5
More Reading...
Third SW for Embellish - Bargain Filly Hitabell Salutes
The decision to move the Listed O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes (1340m) to a new position on the calendar has worked wonders for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, who has now won both December runnings of the Wanganui feature.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 7
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hitabell Breeder Thrilled With Stakes Success
Sarah Devcich was full of pride witnessing a filly she bred and part-owns in Hitabell win last Saturday’s Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui.
A Family Affair - Russian Camelot Filly Salutes at Sandown
Danny O’Brien enjoyed Group I success with outstanding colt Russian Camelot (IRE), so was understandably excited to produce his first metropolitan winner as a sire at Sandown on Wednesday and Censori comes from a family that he knows inside and out.
Zoustar Entering the Zenith
The dictionary tells us Zenith is an astronomical term —describing the highest point in an arc travelled by a star, planet or another celestial body- and in the case of this story it’s planet Zoustar!
Wootton Bassett Set to Blast Out of Winter
Many people may have anticipated Wootton Bassett (GB) would have been our Champion Australian First Season Sire last season and while that didn’t quite eventuate, he did finish the season with a wealth of horses holding spring potential and several were in action at the trials this morning.
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
One To Watch – Sandown
Fourth on debut behind the promising San Giovanni, who has since won again, the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Written Tycoon colt Duke Atreides was sent south to Victoria with instant success.
First Godolphin Winner for Maher
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher saddled his first winner for Godolphin at Kembla on Thursday and he did it with a blue-blood colt by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 6
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.