The five-year-old Helmet mare Beret is in the best form of her life.
The Adam Durrant-trained mare gave the unstoppable Clint Johnston-Porter his fourth winner of the day with a hard-fought victory in the Group III La Trice Classic at Ascot on New Year’s Day.
It was the fourth consecutive win for Beret and her second stakes success after last starts Listed Starstruck Classic.
A homebred for Neville Duncan’s Oakland Park Stud, Beret defeated the Playing God mare Playing Marika by three-quarters of a length with the I Am Invincible mare Real Charisma a further one and a quarter length back in third.
The daughter of Helmet advances her record to seven wins, eight seconds, and five thirds from 26 starts with earnings of $393,650.
“She is in a good spot, and when you get these mares in form they can hold it,” Durrant said.
“She’s gone to another level this prep, and it’s good to see for all the owners.
“Clint gave her a peach. A ten out of ten ride and he is riding so well, which everyone can see.”
Beret is the best of two winners from three to race for the Quest For Fame (GB) mare Irish Hut who failed to place in seven starts, but is also the dam of the stakes-placed Joy Master (Rogano).
A half-sister to Group II Emanciapation Stakes winner Heather, Mrs Hut was covered by Maschino last spring after foaling to Sessions.
Beret is one of 14 black-type winners for the former Darley stallion Helmet who now stands at Allevamento Il Grifone, Italy, with his fee set at €5,000.
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