Our Amazing Astrid

Promising mare Astrid (4 m Pins - Astralita, by Kenny's Best Pal) resumed on a perfect note with a dominant win in the Donaghy's Pureflush Rating 65 1200 metres on 21 October at Te Aroha, for the Te Akau Astrid Syndicate managed by David Ellis.

Able to secure a lovely trip in midfield, from an awkward draw, jockey Matt Cameron had her looming into contention at a timely moment in the straight and she won with plenty of authority.

She was presented in just the condition by trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards to get the job done in a fresh state, having had one quiet outing leading in.

“She did some nice work leading up to this and after watching her replays this morning we worked out that from an average draw if we could sit midfield and let her come home she could do the job,” said Autridge.

“She's a four-year-old Pins that keeps improving, and although not that big I think her heart is in the right place. She'll win a few more."

The winner of a $12,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Pearl Series (bonus $7,500) race two starts ago, before spelling, Astrid had shown her ability to act fresh with a narrow defeat on debut and on the strength of that was confidently backed late into favouritism - $4.90 & $2.00.

A competitive tempo set the race up to be run in slick time, 1:10.1 (last 600m in 35.6), on Good3 footing.

“They went fast,” said Cameron. “They were four and five deep in front of us and I was able to get one off from the draw, which was good. I had cover and once I got a split she stormed home. She's a lot stronger this year and her sprint was longer, which was great. It panned out nicely.

“Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) have done a good job with this filly and she has come up trumps,” said Cameron.

She is bred on a Star Kingdom line carried through Kaoru Star on both sides of her pedigree. Kaoru Star won 13 of his 27 starts and his speed influence made him leading first crop sire and twice champion juvenile sire in Australia.

Bred by Joan Egan (part-owner), and Brent & Cherry Taylor at Trelawney Stud, Astrid was purchased for $80,000 by David Ellis from the Trelawney draft at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

Developing a smart race record, she has included two wins and two seconds from six starts and following her first win, in April, Egan was keen to point out the influence of David Ellis.

“He's a very good farmer, David (Ellis),” said Egan. “They (Te Akau) send us some of their stock and their cattle are beautiful. They are well-managed, well-grazed and he turns out beautiful stock. I also think that if you're a good stockman you are also a good judge of a horse."

Astrid proved through her first campaign to thrive on racing and the strength of the fresh up win could see her competitive in races for good prize money.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz