Progressive mare Aromatic rounded out her current campaign with another impressive victory when she cruised home in the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa.
The grey six-year-old has gone to a new level in her performance lately with little luck when running sixth at Group One level in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) two starts back followed by a comprehensive win in the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) a fortnight ago.
With trainer Mark Walker suggesting this was most likely the last run of the season, the daughter of Sacred Falls showed she was heading to the spelling paddock at the peak of her powers as she dominated proceedings in the final stages of the contest in the hands of Opie Bosson.
Bosson had Aromatic perfectly positioned one off the fence in midfield throughout as three-year-old filly Sakura Girl, who started race favourite ($2.80), set up a steady pace.
Just as Sakura Girl tried to establish a winning break at the 300m, Bosson and Aromatic swooped on her and dashed clear to win by just on two lengths with Saint Alice boxing on nicely for third.
2023 Group 2 Travis Stakes Replay – Sakura Girl
Walker was pleased to see the mare finish off so strongly on the Soft5 surface after preferring wetter conditions earlier in her career.
“She’s in great form and she has gone to another level in the second part of the season,” Walker said.
“I think she is more mature now and over all the niggles she has had throughout her career.
“I saw her come up underneath Opie around the 600m and I thought it was going to take something pretty good to beat her.”
Bosson admitted he couldn’t believe how well the mare had travelled throughout the race.
“She got into a good spot with the speed on and relaxed beautifully,” he said.
“I had a lapful of horse turning in and once she balanced up, she was very impressive.
“She is full of confidence now and when mares hit form, they hold it for a while and she is definitely in form.”
Aromatic was purchased out of breeder Milan Park’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Te Akau chief David Ellis for $160,000 and is a daughter of the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (2000m) winner Vickezzchardonnay.
She is a half-sister to the stakes placed Splendido and comes from an extended family that includes stakes performers The Mighty Finn and Fifty Fifty.
She has now won six of her 27 starts, with three of those victories at stakes level and over $341,000 in prizemoney.
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