Arctic Jewel Sparkles

Given a lovely ride by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a2), Arctic Jewel (3 f Frosted – Miss Gem, by Smart Missile) won the $18,500 Maiden 1000 metres on 6 February at Tauherenikau.

After placing with good efforts in her first two starts, followed by a close fourth, Arctic Jewel finished fifth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 23 January at Matamata, had weight relief to 54kg, and rated a top three chance. 

Although drawn the outside barrier (8), Arctic Jewel was able to drop in behind a hectic pace, tracked up nicely inside the 600m, and once presented to the outside in the straight she quickened on by for a comprehensive win.

“Arctic Jewel is coming clear and she’s a bit too good,” said commentator Justin Evans. “She found a winnable race, Hayley Hassman let her find her rhythm, was able to slide up and around them coming to the home turn and been a little too good, with the ears pricked late.”

In the race sponsored by South Wairarapa Veterinary Services, Arctic Jewel ran 1000 metres in 57.7 and as race favourite she paid $2.40 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was really good to give the filly an overnight trip away and get the win, and she was well ridden by Hayley (Hassman), said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson.

“She took a nice sit, let the speed go, and tracked into the race nicely. I thought it was a good, strong, win, and one she has been building to after racing well in all of her four starts previously.

“I think she’s a filly that will improve with time, but good to get the Maiden win out of the way in her first campaign, and really good for the great supporters in the ownership group.”

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $60,000 at the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale, Arctic Jewel has been retained in ownership by breeder Simms Davison (Mapperley Stud), along with Jonny Schick (Shaw’s Wire Ropes), and All Black Will Jordan.

Arctic Jewel is the first foal out of Miss Gem, which Davison bought at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale, and had the mare served by triple Group One winner Frosted (Tapit), a Darley shuttle stallion from USA to Australia.

“I took her to the Ready to Run Sale and she was passed in, but Mark Walker liked her and David (Ellis) bought her to train for us,” Davison said.

“In the afternoon at the sales, Jonny (Schick) asked me if I had any fillies passed in and she was one of two, and we’ve ended up racing her together.

“Jonny is a friend of Razor’s (All Black coach Scott Robertson) and put forward a share in the filly for a team function, which is how Will Jordan became involved – that’s roughly my understanding, anyway.

“It’s good to get a win on the board with the filly and she’s the first foal out of the mare. It’s a good black type winning family, with plenty of international depth, and we’ve got a yearling colt by Profondo and she’s in foal to Super Seth.

“Frosted had five stakes’ winners at the time and the US Horse of the Year Flightline since then. Arctic Jewel was a very smart and athletic type, but the stallion has not quite fired as well as expected in the Southern Hemisphere.

“We’ve had the sister to Campionessa (Contributer), Stella Ma Bella, in the stable and she’s having a spell after winning impressively early on, and it’s good to get another winner with the Te Akau team.”

Arctic Jewel was strapped by Ajay Kuchekar.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz