Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Perennial black-type bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha (Almanzor) shed that unwanted tag in outstanding fashion when she downed a quality line-up of mares in Saturday’s Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe.
The five-year-old daughter of Almanzor has been desperately unlucky on several occasions at the highest level, having been stakes-placed six times in her 16-start career, with four of those coming in Group One features.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared galloper has always looked to be a stayer of real promise and just 12 months earlier had pushed Nereus hard when finishing runner-up in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m).
Instead of electing to try and go one better in the Counties Cup this year, her mentors freshened her after starting her current campaign with midfield finishes in the first two legs of the spring Triple Crown, the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) and Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m).
That tactic was rewarded handsomely as she delivered in spades under a cool ride from Wiremu Pinn, who had her positioned beautifully in midfield before angling into clear air at the 400m where she appeared to be doing pacework as her rivals struggled to find anything extra.
Qali Al Farrasha duly streaked clear to defeat a game Provence, who chased hard all the way home, and the late-closing Jaarffi.
Bergerson was delighted the mare had finally broken her stakes race hoodoo and explained why the stable had adopted the new approach with her.
“That was fantastic to see her bounce back as she is a quadruple Group One placegetter,” Bergerson said.
“We attacked the first two legs (of the triple crown) but we weren’t happy with her going into the third (Gr.1 Livamol Classic, 2040m) so we gave her a freshen up.
“She has come back really well and while we thought 1400m might be a bit sharp for her today, she has sprinted really well and was very good to the line. Hopefully she is in for an exciting summer.”
Bergerson was uncertain as to the immediate plans for the mare, although he was keen to see her take a similar path to another former top mare in the stable, Campionessa.
“Initially the plan was to go to the Cal Isuzu (Gr.2, 1600m) at Te Rapa and then on to Ellerslie on Boxing Day (Gr.1 Zabeel Classic, 2000m) like Campionessa did,” he said.
“Off this I guess you have to consider Wellington (Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic, 1600m), but I think the Cal Isuzu is the next logical one. After that, we hope we can go one better in one of those Group Ones.”
Pinn was delighted his initial thoughts on the race had been incorrect.
“I thought 1400m might be too short for her, but she proved me wrong,” Pinn said.
“It was a very good training effort by Mark and Sam and I think she is in for a very good prep if she has done that over 1400m.
“She has come back mentally tougher and the further she gets the better she will be, as she has put a good field away today.”
Bred by Nearco Stud Ltd, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis and Westonlea Bloodstock’s David and Matthew Peacocke from lightly raced Burgundy mare Nucleonic, Qali Al Farrasha is raced by Ellis and the Peacockes.
She has now won three of her 17 starts and more than $586,000 in prizemoney.
