7 WINS - 48 HOURS: Southern Rose Blooms

Having her first start in the South Island, Charmrose (6 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose, by Pins) won the $50,000 GD Jones Salute Open Handicap 1200 metres on Saturday at Hastings.

Previously the winner of five races to 1200 metres, and having won four times from seven starts last season, Charmrose had fought well for close fourth after leading when resuming in the Open Handicap 1100 metres on 13 September at Te Rapa, and rated top three with luck from a wide draw (13).

A fast mare, Charmrose had no trouble crossing the field to lead, before steadying under Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a1), and while Moving Melody (Deep Field) loomed off the trail, she had no real problems refuting the challenge. 

On Soft5 footing, Charmrose ran 1200 metres in 1:10.0, last 600m in 34.3 (approx.), and paid $4.70 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a really good win considering the work she had to do early from the wide gate and Hayley (Hassman) is riding in great form,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson.

“She managed to get a bit of a breather from the 600m to the turn and then had to kick really strongly, again. 

“We’ve got her in our stables at Riccarton, hunting some black type over Cup Week, and the way she won today suggests she’ll be up to the task.

“It’s always great to get another win for Dave and Nicky Hurst, they’ve been great friends and supporters of Te Akau for a long time, raced some champion horses like Maroofity and King's Chapel, and they’ll be enjoying how well this mare is performing for them.”

On course, Te Akau assistant trainer Hurrant Durrant added: “We were always planning on being positive and it was a great ride by Hayley to get her across from the wide draw, but she’s a filly that loves a fight and she got that.”

During Cup Week (7, 11, 14 Nov.) at Riccarton, Charmrose could be seen in races like the $90,000 Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1200m) and $140,000 Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m). 

Bred and owned by Dave and Nicky Hurst, Charmrose is out of their mare Sovereign Rose (Pins), who was purchased for them by Sir David Ellis as a yearling at Karaka, and who won four times from 1600m – 2100m.

Like Charmrose, Sovereign Rose recorded her first win as a four-year-old and carried on winning until she was six.

Sovereign Rose is from Pavan (Centaine), who finished second to million-dollar earner Tycoon Lil (Last Tycoon) in the 1998 Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), and was also runner-up in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2000m). 

Pavan left seven individual winners of 31 races, including eight-time winner Yours (Van Nistelrooy), while also being a half-sister to talented stakes' winning mare Felenic (Cape Cross).  The family has also left top Australian galloper Spacecraft (Star Way), winner of ten races.

“Dave and Nicky (Hurst) are great friends of ours, successful in both farming and racing some very good horses,” Ellis said. 

“The first syndicate they came into was King’s Chapel, who won the equivalent race that is now the Karaka Millions, the 2000 Guineas, Telegraph, three Group One races, and was Champion 3YO, Champion Sprinter/Miler and New Zealand Horse of the Year, before standing at stud.

“They were also in one of our Champion Two-Year-Olds, Maroofity, who won three Group One races, and Costa Viva who won the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas and became New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year.”

Charmrose was strapped by Phoebe Moon. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz