WINNER: Altari Awesome

Continuing a terrific fresh-up record, Altari (5 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily, by O’Reilly) produced a strong victory in the $40,000 Social Club Greerton Rating 75 1400 metres on 14 October at Tauranga - making it a winning double for the stable on the day.

A debut winning two-year-old, Altari won again fresh-up last December, and signalled his readiness to return when finishing strongly for second in a trial on 8 September at Rotorua.

Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a1), who has herself among the top 10 jockeys already this season, Altari was ideally positioned in midfield on a genuine tempo, about five lengths off them at the 600m. Hayley then eased him clear rounding the home turn and sustained a strong and well-timed finish to score dominantly.

“We got into quite a nice position, but he just wanted to knock off around the bend from the 600m and I had to shake him up,” Hayley said. 

“He let down really well, went through the line strongly and there is a lot more there. He should go on with it and be in for a good season.”

On footing that remained Soft5 throughout the day, Altari ran 1400 metres in 1:23.6, last 600m in 35.3, and shortened considerably in betting to pay $6.20 & $2.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was really good to see him win today, after the frustration of having him entered on Sunday and then the meeting being abandoned at Rotorua before he got his chance to run,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson, after Altari recorded the 14th win in as many days for the stable. 

“But the trip away wouldn’t have done him any harm, a good day out, and probably helped get him ready for today.

“It was a good ride of Hayley’s. She got him into a lovely spot, three back on the outer, and got him out and rolling at the right time in the race.

“He’s a horse that has always shown good ability, but lacked a bit of strength. Now as a five-year-old, hopefully it will be his year because he’s shown glimpses of that ability and just needed to develop.

“Being able to win fresh-up over 1400 metres just shows how much stronger he is now, and he does seem to go very well first-up.”

Beautifully related and owned by the Te Akau Bohemian Beauty Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM), Altari topped the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale, when purchased by Sir David Ellis for $360,000 from the draft of Valachi Downs. 

By 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), dam Bohemian Lily (O’Reilly) won the Group 2 The Roses (2020m) at Doomben (Queensland). His second dam Bohemian Blues (Blues Traveller) won five races and in turn at stud has left Champion 3YO Filly in Australia Shamrocker (O’Reilly), winner of the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Group 1 VRC Australian Guineas (1600m); Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Rock Diva (Lucky Unicorn), and Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) winner Vernanme (O’Reilly). 

“He’s a good-looking horse with a fantastic pedigree and family, bred on the Savabeel/O’Reilly cross, two Champion Sires, and he’s won really well again in a fresh state,” Ellis said.

“We actually bought him as a weanling, so he’s been in the system for quite a while. The training team is doing a good job with him and given the way he’s started the campaign he could be in for good season.

“He’s got the pedigree to go a bit further, too, raced well up to a mile and placed at 2000 metres, so there is a bit of scope to where he could end up when it comes to distances.”

Altari was strapped by Jason Zuppicich. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz