Red-hot rider Masa Hashizume added further plaudits to an already outstanding season when he piloted Karman Line to a deserved victory in the Group 3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.
Hashizume has already smashed his previous season’s best winning tally of 33 victories set in the 2021/2022 racing year with a current total of 53 wins at the close of play on Saturday, including seven stakes victories which includes the win by Karman Line as well as that of Bella Waters who had earlier taken out the Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m).
In a carbon copy of his Rotorua Cup ride, Hashizume allowed the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared daughter of Myboycharlie to find her feet near the rear before sneaking runs near the rail approaching the home bend.
As the field fanned across the track, Karman Line found clear air three off the rail and charged to the lead before holding out the heavily backed favourite La Crique ($2.10) by a head with Imprevu finishing strongly out wide to shade Mary Shan for third.
Scott was pleased to see his charge get the win after being narrowly beaten in her previous start where she was run down late by Freeze Frame over the same distance at Te Rapa.
“They are winning close in so we thought there was no point in going wide,” Scott said.
“She had got away on us a little and just peaked on her run last time, but she has had a really good fortnight since.
“La Crique has had every chance to pick her up and she has pinned her ears back and fought her off.
“This mare has really hit a sweet spot as she has had other campaigns where she never held her condition, but she has really muscled up now and her best racing is still in front of her.
“She is a really talented mare who has shown glimpses from time to time and its fantastic for a loyal bunch of owners who have shown great patience.”
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