A model of consistency, Tom Charlton’s Shalaa (IRE) gelding Bev's Nine recorded his sixth win from just eight starts, taking out the $200,000 Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) on the second day of the two-day Scone carnival, becoming the 24th stakes winner for his sire.
Second to the Peter Snowden trained Zealously at his first attempt at stakes class last time out in the Listed Gold Rush (1100m) at Hawkesbury, the 4yo gelding was one of five in the field of 16 under double figure odds.
Settling outside race leader Our Kobison, while race favourite Golden Straand was last, jockey Zac Lloyd had plenty of horse under him as the field turned into the long straight at Scone.
When Lloyd asked Bev’s Nine for an effort, the gelding responded, fighting off the late charge of Kris Lees’ 70/1 chance Brudenell, while Matthew Smith’s Golden Straand had come along the rail to finish in third.
“I've had a lot to do with him at home and whatever he does, trackwork, trials, he always puts in his best,” said Lloyd.
“Everyone could see there was plenty of speed in that race, so I wanted to execute the jump, and he was rapid out of the machines. He took over the race quite quickly and was able to control it.
“He is just very tough. He's all heart. That horse came to him, but he kept fighting."
Jordan O'Shea, representing the Tom Charlton stable, felt the race instructions last time our may have resulted in his defeat at Hawkesbury.
“We thought there was going to be lots of pace in that last race, that's why we elected to ride him a bit quietly,” Jordan O'Shea said.
“We didn't want to make that same mistake today. We told Zac to ping him out and assess from there and he's done a great job.”
Taking his earnings to $340,825 from his six wins and a second from eight starts, Bev's Nine was most recently a $25,000 purchase for R & C Pendergast from the Lexington Park (as agent) draft at the Inglis February (Late) Online Sale.
Bev’s Nine became the 24th stakes winners for Woodside Park Stud’s Shalaa, with the son of Invincible Spirit set to stand the upcoming season at a fee of $13,200 (inc. GST), pay on a live foal.
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