Sovereign Rose Rules

Having the race set up perfectly for her, Sovereign Rose (6 m Pins - Pavan, by Centaine) recorded a resounding fresh up win in the Stella Artois Rating 75 1600 metres on Saturday April 5 at Hastings.

The rank outsider in an eight horse field, Sovereign Rose sat off the pace in seventh as Sheez All Heart (Lion Heart) paved the way for a slick 1:34.6 mile.

Travelling kindly throughout for rider Mick Dee, she tracked up behind runners in the straight and once across heels into the clear at the 200 metres she flattened out with good stretch.  Scoring by a neck, Sovereign Rose returned $17.40 & $3.90.

“Without the pace up front there is probably no way she could have won it, but everything panned out and she was ready to do it,” said trainer Jason Bridgman.

“She's been kicking her brands off walking to the track each morning and hard to contain and she certainly raced in accordance with her wellbeing after running third to So Wotif (Iffraaj) in a recent 1200-metre trial at Cambridge.

“And although she hadn't looked like she could win at a mile previously, we were hopeful she would run a big race,” said Bridgman.

“She seems to be a different horse, to find lengths at this time of year and it was a good ride by Mick (Dee) to save ground on the corner when she was flat and got a split when he needed it. It was very pleasing and I'd like to think she could pick up another win when stepped to a middle distance, providing the tracks hold up."

With two wins in April last year, Sovereign Rose was scoring her fourth victory for owners Dave and Nicky Hurst, who also share in the ownership of her stable-mate and New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago).

Sovereign Rose was purchased for the owners by Te Akau principal David Ellis at the 2009 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud. She is a daughter of Pavan, who finished second to million dollar earner Tycoon Lil (Last Tycoon) in the 1998 New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), and also runner-up in the Australian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2000m). Pavan has also left eight-time winner Yours (Van Nistelrooy), and winner of seven Let Loushe (Black Minnaloushe).

The family has also left top Australian galloper Spacecraft (Star Way), a winner of ten races, and Sovereign Rose is establishing a race record to help enhance her breeding future.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz