Four Win Saturday - Group 2 for Awesome Aromatic

Riding the crest of a wave, Aromatic (6 m Sacred Falls - Vickezzchardonnay, by Don Eduardo) recorded her third stakes' win this season in the $120,000 Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on Saturday at Te Rapa.

In November, the beautiful grey mare provided trainer Mark Walker his 100^th stakes win when defeating stable-mate Self Obsession (Shocking) in the Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m). More recently, she was without favours when running fastest last 600m (33.1) in the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 8 April at Pukekohe, and backed up with a brilliant last start victory in the Manawatu Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) on 14 April at Awapuni. 

In addition to her stakes wins this season, Aromatic has included seconds in the Metric Mile (Gr. 3, 1550m), Staphanos Classic (Listed, 1950m), Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), and third in the Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m).

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $160,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Milan Park, Aromatic is owned by Te Akau Sacred Wine Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), and won six times, 12 seconds, from 27 starts, earning $341,350 in prize money. 

It was the third time in eight years that Te Akau had won the Travis Stakes, most recently with Our Abbadean (Lookin' at Lucky) and beforehand with Abidewithme (Redoute's Choice).

“What a thrill it is to be here at the Cambridge Jockey Club meeting, and winning this race for the fourth time,” Ellis said.

“We first won the Travis Stakes 23 years ago with my favourite mare, Integrate (Integra), and it's fantastic to be back winning with a mare that is going from strength to strength.

“Congratulations to Mark Walker, what a wonderful record-breaking season he's having, and also to this great group of owners that have got themselves a really good horse. Also, huge thanks to the staff for getting this mare in the great form that she is.

“I'd like to thank the Waikato Racing Club for the excellent track they've put on today, especially with all the racing they've had.

“It's also a thrill to have Winston Peters here, courtesy of the sponsor. Winston's our previous Minister of Racing, loves the horses, and we look forward to his further involvement.

“Opie Bosson, our stable rider, congratulations on a wonderful 10 out of 10 ride and you just can't beat having this man on in big races.”

Ellis was spot on in his praise of Bosson. Soon after the start, he had Aromatic positioned beautifully in midfield and in a seamless display she never missed a beat while extending to score with authority.

“She got into a good spot,” Bosson said. “The speed was on and she relaxed beautifully. I had a lapful of horse turning for home and when she balanced up and worked through the gears she was impressive.

“She's full of confidence and when mares hit form they generally hold it for awhile, and she's a mare in form.”

Winning by two lengths on footing that remained Soft5 throughout the day, Aromatic ran 2000 metres in 2:03.6, last 600m in 35, and paid $3.30 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

Interestingly, Aromatic ran fastest last 600m (33.9) when resuming at the corresponding meet last year, when coming from last with a big run for fourth in the Rating 74 1200 metres. 

“I just had a bit of fun with (editor) Dennis Ryan because she was on the front cover of RaceForm and we tease him a bit if the cover gets beaten,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“She's in great form and a lovely ride of Opie's. I saw her come up underneath Opie with about 600m to run and thought it would take something pretty good to beat her.

“She's gone to another level in the second part of the season, so she'll probably have to stay in work until next season.

“She's more mature, over all the niggling issues that she had throughout her career and mother natures probably cured most of that.”

Her dam, Vickezzchardonnay, by the highest priced yearling ($3.6m, Don Eduardo (Zabeel)) to ever sell at Karaka, was an impressive five-time winner from 1600m to 2100m. 

Fifth in the 2008 New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) and second in the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) during her three-year-old season, Vickezzchardonnay went on to win the Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 2000m), finish third in the NZ Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m), and fourth in the Auckland Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m), Wellington Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m), Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), and Rotorua Cup (Gr. 3, 2200m), indicating her genuine attributes. 

Vickezzchardonnay is a half-sister to impressive winning race mare Fifty Fifty (Justice Prevails), who won six times and left seven winners of 15 races including dual Group Three placed Balham (Don Eduardo). 

Aromatic was the fifth foal and third individual winner from the mare, and to date the best performed. 

Aromatic was strapped by Olivia Hill. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz