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El Roca 4YO Wins Again

Media Release - Thursday Jul 25

Promising four-year-old Martell handled the step up to open grade with aplomb at Arawa Park on Thursday when beating home a handy field in the Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua 1230.

Martell winning at Arawa Park on Thursday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The son of El Roca jumped well to sit outside leader Caitlyns Wish before getting some cover when apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll elected to push forward to sit parked with Digger.

Turning for home, Martell was guided three-wide by apprentice Jessica Allen and under his featherweight of 52kg he was able to quickly draw level with leader Caitlyns Wish, with the pair going-head-to-head down the straight before Martell was able to get the better of his rival in the concluding stages, winning by a neck.

It was Martell’s sixth win from 15 starts and trainer Jim Collett was pleased with the way he handled the step up to open grade.

“He was well placed with the allowance, and he was well ridden,” Collett said. “He is a horse on the up, he has only had limited starts and he tries hard and likes that sort of ground (Heavy10).

“He has matured this time in. As a three-year-old he was a bit weak, he is stronger now, he has got confidence, and he is running well.”

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While tempted to now tackle stakes company with his charge, Collett said he will opt to take a more cautious approach for the remainder of his preparation.

“He is not ready for anything major just yet. You could get carried away and put him in a Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m), but it is a level too far for him at the moment,” Collett said.

“I may go back to Te Rapa with him for an Open sprint over 1200m before giving him another run at Hawke’s Bay. As soon as the tracks firm up, I will give him a nice, long spell and hopefully he comes back stronger again.”

Looking ahead to the weekend, Collett will line-up just the one runner at Te Rapa on Saturday, with last start runner-up Tregor set to tackle the New World Taumarunui Mile (1600m).

“Tregor is in good form, he is in similar form to last start,” Collett said. “I am happy with him and given a bit of luck in the race he has got to go close.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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Race Result - Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua Hcp 1230m

Arawa Park Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:15.59
1
Martell
- 4g El Roca (AUS) x Myrcella (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: J C Collett Rdr: Jessica Allen 52
2
0.3
Caitlyns Wish
- 4m Belardo (IRE) x Sinalot (NZ) (St Petersburg (AUS))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: M J Sanson 56.5
NZB Karaka Book 2 $45,000
Seller: Haunui Farm
Buyer: Lisa Latta Racing Stables
3
3.1
Thunder
- 8g Niagara (AUS) x Alberta (NZ) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: W B Kennedy 55
4
3.3
Casino Princess
- 5m Casino Prince (AUS) x Sonsy (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: C E Goss Rdr: T C Moodley 58
5
6.6
Digger
- 5g Redwood (GB) x Riverina Girl (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: D B Hollinshead Rdr: A Lawson-Carroll 52
6
7.1
New York Jazz
- 8g Niagara (AUS) x Shesalljazz (NZ) (Coats Choice (AUS))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: J Nishizuka 50
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