Photo: Bruno Cannatelli
Talented four-year-old Wrote To Arataki has continued her winning ways, following up a New Year’s Day victory at Flemington with a game victory in the Gr.3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1300m) at Sandown on Saturday.
The daughter of Wrote was again ridden forward by jockey Jamie Kah, who has forged a successful association with the mare in her past two outings.
Once nursed through the home-straight dip, Wrote To Arataki staved off her rivals to defeat Belle Et Riche and Forbidden City and claim her first stakes victory.
Winning trainer Matthew Williams said the Kiwi import had come a long way since winning a Warrnambool maiden less than 12 months ago.
“It is a fair transition that she has made but you just get horses like that who can take those steps and she has got a bit of confidence out of winning ,” he said of the mare who has now won four of her ten starts with a further three placings.
“She used to get a bit stirry on raceday but she is now a bit more relaxed about it.
“She has always had ability and we always thought it was there but six months ago we didn’t think we would be winning a Group Three race and we are rapt to have it now.”
Williams admitted he didn’t give Jamie Kah any instructions on the mare and the star jockey has been able to change the racing pattern of the one-time back-marker.
“Jamie has just got an uncanny ability to be able to let horses flow and I don’t know what it is but she is very good at it,” Williams said.
“Six months ago I wouldn’t have thought she would lead and win a race but she has done it at her last two starts and won, so it’s a pat on the back to Jamie there.”
The Gr.3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 18 and the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on February 25 are possible targets.
“We will see what Jamie thinks,” Williams said. “If she could go a bit further then there are probably a couple of mile races as well.
“I thought today we probably had her as good as we could have her. We backed off after her last win at Flemington to have a crack at this race.
“This is as good as we could have her and she has done a great job. I have got to thank Phill Cataldo over in New Zealand who sources these horses for us and all the team at home.”
By Wrote, Highview Stud’s Group One winning son of High Chaparral, Wrote To Arataki is out of the multiple winning Align mare Galloping Gerte.
Wrote To Arataki finished third in her only trial in New Zealand for former trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne before her private sale to the Williams stable through bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.
Yearlings by Wrote proved popular at the Karaka Sales last week, with the in-form stallion enjoying plenty of success in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
The sire’s Book 2 yearlings sold consistently well and up to $75,000 with Williams and Cataldo pairing to secure a filly by Wrote out of the Montjeu mare Montwest for $45,000. – NZ Racing Desk
