Aromatic (NZ) Adds Another Group Three

Classy grey mare Aromatic (NZ) (Sacred Falls) secured her second Group Three success of the season with a slick performance in Friday’s $85,000 Martin Collins NZ Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) at Awapuni.

Bought for $160,000 at Karaka 2018 by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis, Aromatic has now had 26 starts for five wins, 12 placings and $272,350 in stakes. She had previously won the Group Three Counties Cup (2100m) in November, and she has also placed in another five black-type races.

Aromatic went into Friday’s race on a quick back-up, having finished a luckless sixth in last Saturday’s Group One New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe. Her fortunes could hardly have been more different on Friday. Given a dream run by jockey Opie Bosson, Aromatic cruised around the track in fourth spot and one off the rail.

Bosson pushed the button at the top of the straight and Aromatic took care of the rest, lengthening stride impressively and taking command with more than 200 metres remaining. Kelly Coe (NZ) (Proisir) chased bravely along the inside, but Aromatic remained well clear and won by a length and three-quarters. The race time of 2:01.08 was a new race record for the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes.

“She’s had soundness issues, but as an older and more mature mare this season, she has really found her form,” trainer Mark Walker said.

“She was unlucky on Saturday. It wasn’t through any fault of her rider (Joe Kamaruddin) – she just found herself with nowhere to go. Although she wouldn’t have won, she should probably have got into the money, so that was pretty good form for today, and she was very strong in the last part of this race.

“As long as we’re happy with her, she’ll press on to the Travis Stakes (Group Two, 2000m) at Te Rapa at the end of the month.”

Aromatic was bred by Tony Rider and was offered by his Milan Park operation at Karaka 2018.