Photo: Race Images South
It was a poignant win by Inflamed (Ghibellines) in the Gr.3 Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton on Saturday, which came just hours after the passing of her dam Ortem Fire at White Robe Lodge on Friday.
Bred and raced by White Robe Lodge principal Brian Anderton and his late wife Lorraine, Inflamed had been in solid form heading into the ANZAC Day meeting, winning twice at Riccarton last month, including the Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), before finishing seventh in the $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) a fortnight ago.
The six-year-old daughter of former White Robe Lodge resident stallion Ghibellines, who passed away late last year, was backed into a $12.80 second favourite in a market dominated by the Lance Robinson-trained Iron Hawk ($1.80), who had won his previous two races leading into Saturday.
Inflamed jumped away well from her ace barrier, however, there was plenty of speed outside her and jockey Corey Campbell elected to quickly hand-up to Graeme John, who set the pace throughout.
Iron Hawk sat outside the leader before he was asked the question by jockey Tina Comignaghi at the 300m mark and he responded immediately, opening up a growing lead on the pack. Inflamed looked the only danger and she called on all her reserves in the final 50m to reel in her more fancied rival to win by half a neck.
“It was a very special win,” Campbell said. “She has been such a great mare for the stable for all these years now, so it was nice to get another black-type win on her, especially after they lost the mare (Ortem Fire) yesterday.
“She jumped well and got a nice run in behind Graeme John, which I thought would take us a long way. I got shut out of a gap at the top of the straight and I had to change across ground and when she finally got some clear air she has really wanted to do it and she knuckled down and got the job done very well.
“She has just been an absolute marvel, not many horses can win on bottomless Heavy10s up to a Good3. It has been a pleasure to be a part of her racing career.”
Shane Anderton, who trains the mare in partnership with his father Brian, was rapt to get another black-type win with his mare, and he said they will now contemplate her future, with the broodmare paddock beckoning in the spring.
“It was outstanding, she showed a lot of grit today,” he said. “With 50m to go I thought we couldn’t get there, but in that last little bit she dug in.”
Saturday’s victory brought Inflamed’s tally to nine wins from 37 starts, including victories in the Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m), South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes and Great Easter Stakes, with earnings north of $377,000.
Her late dam, Ortem Fire, was a half-sister to Group Three winner Inferno, the dam of Group One winner Smokin’ Romans and stakes performer Flamin’ Romans.
Ortem Fire won five races herself, including the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m), and she was runner-up in the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m), Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) and Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m).
While Inflamed has been her top performer, she has also left two-win mare Ortem Legacy, and the Andertons have a yearling colt and weanling filly, both by resident stallion Ancient Spirit, to look forward to.
