Charm Spirit's Aretha Wins G3 Gold Trail

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 21

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Aretha opened her three-year-old account in dramatic fashion when she took out the Group III Hawke's Bay Breeders' Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) in a grandstand finish.

Aretha on the inside wins the Gold Trail - Trish DunnellThe Greg McCarthy bred and owned Charm Spirit filly was having her first run since closing out a strong juvenile campaign when finishing second behind last season's champion two-year-old Yourdeel in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1200m) at Awapuni in March.

Given two trials to prepare for her season opener, Aretha was well fancied in betting for Saturday's Group Three feature after drawing perfectly in barrier three. Rider Matt Cameron took full advantage of the situation when he bounced his mount straight to the front and controlled the pace throughout.

Sent for home by Cameron at the top of the straight, Aretha looked to have stolen a march on her rivals however with 200m to run she was tackled by the Brendan and Jo Lindsay-owned Bavella who had been trapped wide in midfield most of the way before launching a determined burst.

The pair set down to a tooth and nail struggle with Aretha thrusting her head back in front as the pair hit the post locked together, taking the win by the barest of margins.

Co-trainer Andrew Forsman admitted he thought his filly was going to finish a meritorious second when Bavella loomed up to win in the closing stages.

"She was very brave as I thought she was a beaten horse," Forsman said.

"She just went a little bit keenly fresh-up and I thought Bavella had her for sure, but we'll take it."

Forsman is eyeing a bigger prize in November's Gr.1 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) for the filly but will let her get over her first-up exertions before any decisions on her next start are made.

"There's no need to panic as we will just pick the best path through to the 1000 Guineas," he said.

Advertisement

"That will have taken a fair bit out of her as it was a pretty big run so we will just reassess.

"She might go straight to the Sarten (Gr.2, 1400m) but we will just work it out."

The Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) is the feature event at Te Rapa on October 28.

Rider Matt Cameron was also finding it difficult believe he had got the win after congratulating rival jockey Leith Innes after they crossed the line.

"I thought Leith (on Bavella) had got me so was congratulating him, but I was head down and arse up at the line so it's difficult to tell," he said.

"She's (Aretha) tough and was hanging quite badly the whole race so she had every right to get beaten.

"Once the other horse came up to me, she dug deep so she is a tough little filly."

The victory was Aretha's second from just five starts and also her second at stakes level after she was successful in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m) last season. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
Charm Spirit Shows His Class
Impressive young sire Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit) confirmed his class among an outstanding group of emerging stallion talent, when striking his second Group winning blow from his first southern hemisphere 3YO crop at the weekend.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
New G3 Winner for Charm Spirit
Matamata visitor Lilikoi showed she was on track for further age-group riches this summer with a comprehensive victory in Saturday’s Group III Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni bringing a pedigree update for her Karaka bound half-brother by Vadamos.
Charm Spirit 3YO on Trial for Derby
Exciting three-year-old Scorpz will be tested over 2000m for the first time at Ellerslie on Sunday in preparation for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) in February.
Plenty of Spirit in Group Winning Performance
The stocks of ‘young gun’ sire Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit) continue to rise with the win by 3YO colt Scorpz in the Group III Wellington Stakes at Otaki on Friday confirming the cracking start Charm Spirit has made at stud.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.