Wrote To Arataki claims a second Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
Matthew Williams’ decision to reset Wrote To Arataki after a challenging spring was rewarded when the mare delivered a first-up Stakes success at Caulfield.
The Warrnambool trainer celebrated as Wrote To Arataki secured her second Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m), adding another highlight to her consistent career.
It was the mare’s fourth run in the race, having previously claimed the title in 2023 and filled minor placings in subsequent editions.
After finishing fourth in 2024 and opening last autumn with a third-place effort, Wrote To Arataki returned in peak condition.
Ridden positively by Dean Yendall, the mare controlled the race from the front and proved too strong, scoring by a length over Damask Rose with Bossy Benita finishing third.
Williams said the seven-time winner has always been sound, despite health setbacks interrupting her campaign last year.
“We’ve never had a soundness issue with her,” Williams said.
“She had a couple of little viruses there in the spring and we just couldn’t get her back right, so we had to pull up stumps.
“The owners have been very patient and were happy to do that and we just set her for this race.
“It’s a good way to start her program and she’s not a good traveller, so we don’t look to go anywhere interstate with her.
“Mares are very well catered for in Victoria if you can follow that program and she loves 1400 and 1600-metre races, so it works well and they’re on our backdoor.”
The trainer said a lingering cough made it impractical to push on late last spring.
“We could have had a crack late in the spring and we felt for one race it wasn’t worth it, so we opted to pull up stumps and give her a bit more time in the paddock,” Williams said.
“It’s such a tight turnaround to get them back. She came back fresh and we were able to get a nice building preparation into her.
“Her jump-outs were good and the team have done a great job.”
The Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) loom as next goals, with odds and form available via leading online bookmakers.
The post Wrote To Arataki claims a second Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
More Racing News
Savitri set for stakes progression says Freedman
Mitch Freedman, the Ballarat trainer, anticipates that filly Savitri will progress to Stakes grade in due course, but he's adopting a steady development plan with her currently.Interstate three-year-old Stakes events loom ahead, prompting Freedman to contemplate journeys away with Savitri post her dominant win in Wednesday's Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap (1500m)...
Peter Moody eyes Alpha Sofie recovery in Caulfield feature
Trainer Peter Moody holds strong belief that Alpha Sofie can regain her spark heading into her Stakes assignment at Caulfield.The $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on February 28 saw Alpha Sofie ruin her flawless slate for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman with a lacklustre display.Moody, after a complete...
Three-week gap perfect for Sir Delius ahead of Ranvet Stakes
Aeliana and Sir Delius are set to clash head-to-head in the Ranvet Stakes, as trainer Adrian Bott counts on the three-week interval since his last run to sharpen him up.Even with the previous ATC Australian Derby champion heavily backed for the 2000m Saturday feature, Sir Delius lingers as the distinct...
Autumn Glow could dominate Ryder Stakes says rival Charlton
In the event Autumn Glow shows up at Rosehill fully tuned, trainer Tom Charlton from the opposition admits the George Ryder Stakes is likely reduced to vying for supporting spots.That said, he doubts it would play out identically in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) should the high-class mare pivot there after...
Tough gate awaits Generosity in The Galaxy sprint
The barrier draw success Chris Waller enjoyed for the Golden Slipper fails to repeat in Group 1 The Galaxy, leaving his lone representative Generosity to launch from the widest stall.Catch The Glory, the first emergency, is the only one positioned further out, meaning Generosity takes the extreme outside draw of...
Price outlines Charm Stone plan for William Reid Stakes
No need to cue Mick Price on the assignment ahead for Charm Stone in her opening run back at Caulfield.Co-trainer Price feels a touch uneasy with Jimmysstar and Angel Capital entered in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), but highlights her flawless training regimen for the Saturday assignment.The mare...
Bjorn Baker warming to Golden Slipper plan with fit colt Warwoven
Plan A never involved dispatching Warwoven to the Golden Slipper off a mere seven days' rest, but Sydney's predicted wet weather is making trainer Bjorn Baker more receptive to the idea.In recent times, two runners have captured the prize after a fast return, namely Kiamichi in 2019 along with Shinzo...
Star colt Observer ready for Rosehill Guineas bow
Victorian gallopers often falter when facing Sydney's unique racing demands across the Murray, but Ciaron Maher expects his top colt Observer to thrive there.This dual Group 1 champion heads into his Sydney first-up run during Saturday's $1 million Rosehill Guineas (2000m).The Ghaiyyath gelding travelled northward shortly following his Australian Guineas...
Strong Caulfield hitout positions Pride Of Jenni for Australian Cup challenge
Trainer Ciaron Maher moved a select bunch of his string from Cranbourne to Caulfield for trackwork early Tuesday.Evergreen mare Pride Of Jenni formed part of that group, ramping up for her engagement a fortnight from now on Saturday.Maher pointed to the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) over 2000m at Flemington...
Angel Capital ride goes to Jye McNeil for William Reid Stakes
The top job on Angel Capital in Caulfield's last Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival has gone to Jye McNeil.On Tuesday morning, McNeil visited Caulfield to breeze Angel Capital in preparation for Saturday's William Reid Stakes (1200m).Due to ongoing track works at Moonee Valley, Caulfield steps in to stage...