While New Zealand racing enthusiasts will be enjoying a big day out at Champion’s Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, Damask Rose, the horse that was the toast of the town in that setting last year will be looking to land an overdue celebration of her own at Flemington when she runs in the Matron Stakes.
The Mark Walker trained daughter of Savabeel reigned supreme in her last two starts in New Zealand last year, claiming high profile back-to-back victories in the Karaka Millions (3YO) and in the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi … which made it four wins from six starts in New Zealand … but the four-year-old mare has yet to salute in six starts since relocating to Australia.
A win on Saturday, almost a year to the day of her NZ $3.5 million NZB Kiwi win, will go a long way to setting the record straight and there are certainly signs in her recent starts that she could be on her way to doing that.
In her first campaign in Australia … from August 30 to November 1 last year … Damask Rose finished unplaced in four starts. It should be noted though, that she was not looking for any easy route with three of those four starts coming in Group 1 company … in the Rupert Clarke Stakes behind Sepals (who went on to run second behind Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle) … in the Toorak Handicap (behind the eight-time winner Transatlantic) … and in the Empire Rose Stakes (behind the $11 million earner Pride Of Jenni).
Damask Rose was then given a three-month break from race action and has been more competitive in her return, albeit in Group 3 company.
A runner-up finish in the Belmaine Stakes over 1200m was followed by another close-up finish, this time in third place, in the Mannerism Stakes over 1400m … two results, both with Craig Williams in the saddle, which would appear to set Damask Rose up very nicely for Saturday’s assignment being the step up to 1600m, third-up.
Williams keeps the ride on the mare who, at $4.60, is currently competing for the Matron Stakes favouritism with See What I See ($4.40).
