WELL-NAMED MARE WINS FRESH-UP

Presented in tremendous order, Sassy Merlot (4 m Burgundy – Saveadance, by Savabeel) displayed her customary courage when winning fresh-up in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on Saturday at Matamata.

Having ended her previous campaign finishing second in the Rotorua Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) in May, and lifting determinedly to win a trial on 11 October at Waipa, Sassy Merlot was considered ideally placed to resume by co-trainer Pam Gerard.

“She was very well to resume on her home track,” Gerard said. “She trialled up super and we really couldn’t fault her.

“There looked to plenty of speed in the race, but she was able to get to the top without a fight and Cameron (Lammas) controlled things nicely.

“We had a couple of issues with her in the gates towards the backend of her previous campaign, but she was good at the trials and again today.

“She’s got a bit of an attitude and can lean on the gates, but Cameron rides her in gallops and he was pretty confident that she had worked up really well and would do things right.

“She will obviously come on nicely for the run and winning in Rating 75 grade should set her up nicely for the season ahead.”

Out well from barrier one to lead, Sassy Merlot appeared to travel within herself throughout and established a winning advantage when quickening at the 300m.

In the race sponsored by NZB Ready to Run Trainers Series, Sassy Merlot clocked 1:10.7, last 600m in 35.3, for 1200 metres and paid $6.00 & $2.10.

It was also a fitting return for experienced rider Cameron Lammas, who commenced with a second placed finish on Wednesday at Rotorua, scored a win aboard Melody Belle (Commands) half-sister Divici Belle (Not A Single Doubt) earlier on the card at Matamata, and also bagged third on Dragon Queen (Sweynesse).

“She was happy out there, not going too fast in front, and he was cruising,” Lammas said. “She showed plenty of fight.”

After finishing second on debut last season, Sassy Merlot was a course/distance Maiden winner in October last year at Matamata, when quickening appreciably, before drawing out to win with authority over 1400 metres at Tauranga, and followed with placed performances in both the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m).

From a family noted for producing horses with turn of foot (acceleration), including Singalong (Danasinga), Coup Ray (Exploding Prospect), and Penny Arcade (Straussbrook), Sassy Merlot is providing plenty of highlights for owners M & W Bloomfield, D C & P M Dean, J P Gray, A & J Hayne, D Lean, M N McConnell, A H Panther, Savvy Racing Swamp Fox Syndicate (Mgr. Keith McDonald), and Ballymore Stables.

Selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Sassy Merlot was purchased for $24,000 at the Karaka 2020 Book 3 Sale, on account of Advantageous Ventures.

“Actually, it was my partner Catheryne Bruggeman who found her at Karaka and I merely agreed with her assessment that she was a cracking filly,” Moroney said.

Summing up the victory, Gerard added: “She was the class horse in the field and good enough on this occasion to carry top weight (58.5kg).

“It was the perfect starting point for her and good to see her getting out of the gates. I think the long campaign just took its toll towards the end of last season.

“She’s super and it’s good to see her on track. We’re not too sure at the moment what she might aim at, but just wanted to see her do everything right.

“She could be better sprinting and may be a Railway and Telegraph type of mare, but it’s early in the season and we’ll see what happens.

“She’s so much stronger this time in.

“We had a good crew of owners there, including Keith and Janice McDonald (Savvy Racing) who have shifted to Matamata.

“Scotty (Magee) rides all her work because she can be a handful, and Cameron rides her gallops and it’s great to see him back riding winners because he’s much needed.”

Sassy Merlot was strapped by Scott Magee.