Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Wrote To Arataki has added a second Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes to her record on her fourth attempt.
After a spring full of setbacks with Wrote To Arataki, Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams set his sights on claiming a maiden Stakes race win with the mare.
The plan paid off on Saturday when Wrote To Arataki claimed her second victory in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Saturday’s appearance in the Bellmaine Stakes was the mare’s fourth appearance in the race and comes on top of her victory in 2023 when the race was held at Sandown.
In 2024, Wrote To Arataki finished fourth, while last year she started her autumn campaign by finishing third at Caulfield.
Ridden by Dean Yendall, Wrote To Arataki ($12) led throughout and won by a length from Damask Rose ($7) with Bossy Benita ($5) a further 1¾ lengths away in third.
Williams said Wrote To Arataki had been a good mare during her career of 29 starts, including seven wins, but a virus curtailed her campaign last year.
“We’ve never had a health issue with her,” Williams said.
‘She had some little viruses there in the spring and we couldn’t get her back properly, so we had to pull out stumps.
“The owners were very patient and happy to do that and we just got her ready for this race.
“It’s a good way to start her program and she’s not a good traveler, so we don’t want to take her anywhere.”
“Mares are very well looked after in Victoria if you can follow that programme. She loves 1400 and 1600 meter races so it works well and they are right behind our door.”
Williams said a persistent cough last spring saw Wrote To Arataki get extra time in the paddock.
“We could have had a problem late in the spring and we felt it wasn’t worth it for one race, so we opted to pull out stumps and give her a little more time in the paddock,” Williams said.
“It’s such a tight turn to get them back. She came back fresh and we were able to get some nice building preparation in her.
“Her jumpouts were good and the team did a great job.”
The Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m), followed by the Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m), both at Flemington, are likely to be the next targets for Wrote To Arataki.
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