Gemma Flitz (NZ) (Telperion) has been a model of consistency on Riccarton’s synthetic track and she capped off that form when it counted, claiming the major spoils in Wednesday’s $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m).
The mare joined Ross Beckett’s Yaldhurst stable just under two years ago and swiftly announced herself on the synthetic circuit, winning or placing on the surface at each of her six attempts.
On that form, Beckett eyed the six-figure feature for Gemma Flitz this year, and she produced a stunning dress rehearsal last start to come into the race as a $6.20 hope.
As expected, the pace was fierce early as Holdem and Spartan contended for the early lead, while Gemma Flitz was forced to remain three-wide in the hands of apprentice jockey Donovan Cooper, but she found a comfortable rhythm in midfield.
Spartan edged clear on the corner but the challengers were coming across the track, including Gemma Flitz, who found the perfect split down the centre alongside one of her main rivals in Tumuch.
The pair came away from the field in the last 200m, and despite a late dive at the line from her higher-weighted rival, Gemma Flitz got the better of Tumuch to claim the top spot by nose.
Beckett had been impressed by the mare’s progress since her last success and was rapt to collect the big prize on his local course.
“She needed the run the other day and she’d done nothing but improve since then,” he said. “It’s a great result.
“I said (to Cooper) to hop out, be positive and hopefully end up about fifth or sixth. I’d rather he be wide then too far back, so it worked out very well.
“I’m a big supporter of the synthetic track and for the Riccarton track itself, there is a lot of good work going on here.”
Gemma Flitz had plenty of support in the crowd from her syndicate, which includes her former trainer Karen Fursdon. She broke maiden status for the Matamata horsewoman before heading south, where she has now boosted her earnings to more than $145,000.
“The owners called me up one day and asked if I would take her, so I did, and we’ve taken our time with her since then,” Beckett said. “She’s only had around 20 starts and she’s matured right out into a really nice mare.
“We put her on the polytrack and she loved it, she goes well on the turf too, but she just doesn’t like a wet track. If we didn’t have the poly, she wouldn’t even be in work at the moment.
“She’s not just a 1200m horse, I think she’ll get a mile easy enough as she can settle. We’ll get her ready for Cup Week now.”
Out of a Postponed mare Lady Gaga, Gemma Flitz has won five of her 23 appearances and placed in a further seven.
