Wanganui Double - A Charming Win
21 January, 2025
Placed in two of four starts, Charmrose (4 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose, by Pins) broke through in the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres on 20 January at Wanganui.
Claimed late after racing handily when resuming in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres on 20 December at Matamata, Charmrose had finished second twice, won three trials, and looked well positioned to make an impact.
Ridden by Craig Grylls, who leads the premiership with 61 wins and guided two-year-old colt and stable-mate He Who Dares (Snitzel) to win impressively on debut earlier in the programme, Charmrose led early before steadying behind a genuine pace, challenged at will rounding the home turn, and after establishing a winning advantage, she kept going solidly to the line.
“We’ve had to be very patient with her and it’s great to see her win for Dave and Nicky (Hurst),” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson.
“They’ve had horses with us for a long time – way back in the Maroofity and King’s Chapel days – so very special to get another winner for them and one that they’ve bred as well.
“It was another really positive ride by Craig Grylls and he’s certainly in good form.”
In the race named Wanganui Function Centre, Charmrose ran 1200 metres in 1:09.9, last 600m in 35.3 (approx.), on Good4 footing, and justified $1.60 favouritism on the NZ TAB tote.
Bred and owned by Dave & Nicky Hurst, Charmrose is out of Sovereign Rose (Pins), who was purchased for them by David Ellis CNZM as a yearling at Karaka, and she won four times from 1600m – 2100m.
Like Charmrose, Sovereign Rose recorded her first win as a four-year-old and carried on winning until she was six.
Sovereign Rose is from Pavan (Centaine), who finished second to million-dollar earner Tycoon Lil (Last Tycoon) in the 1998 Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), and she was also runner-up in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2000m).
Pavan left seven individual winners of 31 races, including eight-time winner Yours (Van Nistelrooy), while also being a half-sister to talented stakes' winning mare Felenic (Cape Cross).
The family has also left top Australian galloper Spacecraft (Star Way), winner of ten races.
“Dave and Nicky (Hurst) are farmers from Te Puke area, and the first horse they were involved in with us was King’s Chapel, who was Champion Three-Year-Old, Champion Sprinter/Miler, and Horse of the Year,” Ellis said.
“King’s Chapel won three of his four starts as a two-year-old, including the Mercedes Classique (Restricted Listed, 1200m), which has developed into the modern-day Karaka 2YO Millions.
“They were in Maroofity, who was Champion Two-Year-Old after winning both Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes races that season and trained on to win the Group 1 Thorndon Mile, and also Costa Viva, an Encosta de Lago filly I bought as a yearling on the Gold Coast - she won the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas and was New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year.
“They’re wonderful people who have been fantastic owners for a long period of time and it’s great to see Sovereign Rose produce a winner for them. And their son Craig also races horses with us, just terrific people.
“Charmrose was our second winner on the card today and Reece Trumper (racing manager) is down there looking after them.
“Wanganui has been a good track to us over the years and we like to support racing in the Central Districts.
“I was particularly impressed by the win of He Who Dares. You don’t get many better bred two-year-old colts and he won in a really promising manner.”
Charmrose was strapped by Chris Charmo.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz
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