Courageous Win by Carmenize

Continuing to improve through her southern campaign, Carmenize (4 m Any Suggestion - Zevita, by Zeditave) recorded a much deserved win in the Wingatui Melbourne Cup Day Maiden 1200 metres on Labour Day Monday 24 October at Oamaru.

Owned by Stan Painton, Carmenize had produced a valiant performance for second in the Maiden 1200 metres on Slow8 at Timaru, with blinkers and a nose band added to her gear, and went one better with a half-head victory.

After working forward from a wide gate, Carmenize was able to drop in third behind a brisk pace at the 700m, allowing rider Racha Cuneen a quiet sectional and she responded late to prevail in a close finish.

With strong form around the winner Seamstress (Pins) at Timaru, Carmenize started a $2.70 & $1.40 favourite and she ran the 1200 metres in 1:12.1 on Dead5 footing.

Carmenize capped a good Labour weekend for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, following wins by Princess Davone at Pukekohe, and Hall of Fame (Savabeel) at Riccarton.

“She came out turning for home and looked like she was going to go bang, didn't, and appeared to battle, but when he (Cuneen) pulled the stick through to his right hand and gave her a couple of decent ones she then got into it,” Autridge said.

“He's a champion,” said Autridge, of owner Stan Painton. “He rang me straight after the race and said he loved it.

Autridge said: “We sent Carmenize to the South Island to make sure she won a race and Stan wants to her come home and carry on in the north.

“We're still trying to work a few things out with her and believe she's better than what she's shown on race day. She might carry on and be mediocre, or she might turn the corner and win a few.

“She can run on any type of ground and in track work nothing can beat her.  She'll be there (based at Riccarton) for the next three weeks, and we'll possibly go 1400 metres next time.

“I'm happy for Stan. “He's very patient, agrees to whatever is best for the horse and takes the good with the bad. He bred a horse called Sanhermano, a five-year-old Maiden who had her second trial the other day, which she won going half pace, and next day we found she had a bowed tendon. So, that's how tough the game is,” Autridge said.

Carmenize was strapped by Daniel Miller.

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