FIFTH WIN FOR PETRACHOR

A beautifully matured mare, Petrachor (6 m Redwood – Mother, by Red Ransom) was back in business winning the $30,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on Saturday at Rotorua.

A race after stable-mate Sassy Merlot (Burgundy) finished second in the Rotorua Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), Petrachor rocked punters with a solid victory in the last race on the card.

Although not having previously raced on the course, there was a sense that it may suit and so it proved.

Co-trainer Pam Gerard had communicated earlier in the day with owners that the plan was to be positive, despite drawing wide (13), after being too casual in recent outings.

Stripped in terrific order, Gerard said Petrachor had been working well and she expected a bold showing.

Given time (42 days) since the Rating 74 1400 metres on 2 April at Avondale, Petrachor dropped in grade, had weight relief to 56kg, and the winner of four previous races was looking to improve.

Riding to instructions, Masa Hashizume tracked up three wide with cover in midfield to the 600m, before asking the mare to rally nearing the home turn and let down with the type of finish she had evidenced in the past.

“She was wide, but I got told to go as forward as possible,” Hashizume said. “She had been a bit lazy, but she woke up today and she was tough.

“Everyone wanted to go forward, so I decided to sit behind the bunch, but she didn’t drop the bit this time and instead fought really hard. I think she can go further.”

Sponsored by The Rotorua Club, Petrachor cut out 1400 metres in 1:24.1, last 600m in 36.7, on Soft5 footing, and paid $30.30 & $7.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

The richly coloured mare, owned by Gerry Harvey (Westbury Stud), recorded her fifth victory.

By Westbury Stud stallion Redwood (High Chaparral), sire of over 400 winners including 13 at stakes level, from an unraced mare, Petrachor is a half-sister to four-time winner Niobe (Niello) and winner Big Mama (Red Giant).

Although off the winning scene for a time, Gerard explained that Petrachor had attempted to get in foal last season but came up short.

“Things went wrong when it was time to get her in foal,” Gerard said. “She would put on an act in the truck when going to be served, ended up injuring herself, and it obviously wasn’t meant to be.

“She was at a difficult place in the ratings to get a start in Rating 74 grade and would have to carry big weights in Rating 65, but two-kilos off to carry 56kg certainly helped today.

“1400 metres is probably her go, but she has been racing like she wants to get a mile. She’s only won to 1400 metres, but (track work rider) Cameron Lammas said she’ll get a mile.

“Masa rode her well. She hates getting in amongst them and tends to switch off when she does. Today, she tracked up in the open and was able to finish off like we know she can.

“You need to be positive on her and although the form on paper didn’t look that flash, her runs have actually been okay in races that didn’t suit in the way they were run.”

Petrachor was strapped by Scott Magee.