Back to Back Karaka Miles

Even heavy rainfall and poor visibility failed to take the gloss off the performance of high-class filly Spellbinder (3 f O'Reilly - Scenic Sprint, by Scenic) as she powered clear by three lengths to win the Karaka 3YO Mile (Listed, 1600m) on Jan. 26 at Ellerslie, during the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting on the eve of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

Having won the corresponding race two years ago with Rock ‘n' Pop (Fastnet Rock), now a freshman sire at Waikato Stud, Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman had brought the filly back to win brilliantly fresh up at her previous start, also at Ellerslie, following her third to stable-mate Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November at Riccarton.

Purchased for $60,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Spellbinder Syndicate, Spellbinder took her record to four wins from six starts and $142,310 in stakes.

“She's a beautifully balanced filly and has already performed at the highest level,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis.

“She will probably go to the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) and then decide whether or not we go to the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m). She's bred to get a trip and we're just thrilled to win this race again tonight,” said Ellis.

Able to capitalize on drawing barrier one, Spellbinder travelled sweetly in the trail for regular pilot Matt Cameron. Clear to challenge two off the fence on straightening, she sprinted to lead at the 200 metres and raced away to win by an ever widening margin.

Strongly supported in betting, Spellbinder paid $2.50 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB after covering the mile in 1:36.7, last 600m in 35.9.

“She just gets through it [wet] a bit better than others,” said Cameron. “She is still alright on a decent track; she has a bit of class about her but when it comes to these kinds of tracks she cops it too.

“I got off the rail and stalked [second placed] Hera (O'Reilly) and I knew she was the one to beat, as I'd won on her on a heavy track. I knew she was the one to run down and we went past her pretty easily and my horse even had time to prick her ears the last bit.

Bred by Melbourne trainer Danny O'Brien, Spellbinder is now unbeaten in three starts at Ellerslie. She won the Soliloquy Stakes (Listed, 1400m) impressively by six and half lengths back in September and the manner of her two most recent performances at racing headquarters certainly suggests she is destined for a bright future.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz