Damask Rose Blooms

Resuming in the best possible manner, Damask Rose (3 f Savabeel – Sombreuil, by Flying Spur) won the $65,000 Wentwood Grange 3YO 1200 metres on Waikato Cup Day (14 Dec.) at Te Rapa.

Following her debut win with a great effort for second in the Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) last season, Damask Rose ran fastest last 600m (33.1) for third when resuming in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and ,given a spell, she then ran home nicely for second in a preparatory trial on 26 November at Taupo.

With stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM aboard, who a week earlier recorded his 99th Group One victory, Damask Road was positioned within striking range, sidled up to challenge at the 200m, and displayed her class when drawing clear to score by one and three-quarter lengths.

“She gave me a great feel and it seems that she’s back big time, too,” Bosson said. 

“She’s come up really well and I think she’s a chance of winning races like the Karaka Millions 3YO and the Slot race. 

“They had her off the nickel most of the way, but she’s quite a laidback type of horse and the further the better for her.”

On footing that upgraded after the race from Soft5 to Good4, Damask Rose ran 1200 metres in 1:10.6, last 600m in 33.8 (approx.) and as race favourite paid $1.80 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

“Sam (Bergerson) and I had a chat with Dave (Ellis) and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and we resisted the temptation of going to Riccarton (Cup Week), and we worked our way back from the Karaka Million 3YO and potentially the Kiwi Slot race,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“She went to the paddock (September), went out to the farm (Te Akau Stud), put on good condition, and she’s come back super.

“They can’t go to every dance, so I think we’ve done the right thing. She’s a nice filly and potentially she could end up pretty good, I think.”

Walker suggested that prior to the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on 25 January at Ellerslie, Damask Rose would run in the $270,000 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) at the same venue on Boxing Day.

A race won previously by Te Akau trained Yourdeel (Dundeel) and Wild Night (Vanbrugh), Damask Rose, a beautifully correct looking filly, was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000, from the draft of Milan Park, at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by the Te Akau Coming Up Roses Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Accepting on behalf of the owners, Ellis said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone for the patience they’ve shown with this filly, she’s only had four starts, and we think that patience will be very well rewarded.

“We deliberately turned her out for a good spell after racing earlier in the season, because our goal was to have her ready for top races after New Year, and we feel after winning like she did that we’re on target.

“It was her first start for some time, so to win like that was really impressive and congratulations to Mark and Sam and all the team that look after her.

“Well done to all the owners, we’ve got a great turn out here today, and thank you very much for your support. 

“Wentwood Grange, the sponsors, they don’t come any better than the Hawkins' family. What they do for racing is fantastic and I’m so proud to win their race again.

“This good filly is by our Champion Sire Savabeel and what a thrill to have Mark and Pippa Chittick from Waikato Stud in the winner’s circle to celebrate the win with us.

“Also, to the board of Waikato Thoroughbred Racing, congratulations for putting on such a wonderful track and it’s great to see such a big crowd in attendance.”

By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and eight-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Damask Rose is from a mare by Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Flying Spur (Danehill).

She is from a family that Te Akau knows well and already has experienced considerable success with, including this filly's grand-dam Te Akau Rose (Thorn Park) whom Ellis also purchased as a yearling at Karaka.

Trained by Mark Walker, Te Akau Rose was one of nine winners for the stable of the Matamata Breeders Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) and went on to produce five individual winners of 14 races.

The family has plenty of depth, known by many as the Alberton family, producing a host of high-quality winners, none more so than Group One winner and sire Brutal (O’Reilly). 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “She’s a beautiful filly with an enormous amount of quality and from a family that we have had plenty of success with in the stable.

“She’s from a great farm and any strong race form will really add to her residual value.”

Damask Rose carries bloodline crosses to incredibly influential sires: Sir Ivor, Nureyev, and Northern Dancer.

Damask Rose was strapped by Rasheed Alam. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz