Charmaine‘s Dream demonstrated a strong front running display in winning the Maiden 1200m event at Tauranga on Easter Monday at just her fourth race day start. Jumping from barrier seven in the hands of Sam Collett, she went to the lead and look to be very comfortable in the run – turning for home she showed a nice kick and went to the line with a three-quarter length margin.

Click HERE to see the race result and replay

On dismounting, rider Sam Collett, who is currently in 2nd place on the Jockey’s Premiership, expressed a lot of confidence in her charge saying “she’s a really nice type of Filly who showed me a lot in the run – still a bit to learn as she ran around a bit up the straight but I think you can have a lot of confidence that she can step to the next level” 

 CHARMAINE’S DREAM –  Tauranga – 5th April 2021

Patiently prepared by trainer Jamie Richards, (who bought up his 139th NZ win for the current season) and having just her fourth start, Charmaine’s Dream (Charm Spirit -Scattercat) had held her spot for third when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres on 17 March at Matamata, and brought the form and credentials to rate a top three chance in the race sponsored by The Chantelle Showstopper 50^th Celebration.

“It was a good ride by Sam (Collett) to take the bull by the horns,” Richards said. “She was able to get a soft sectional across the top and she found a good kick at the top of the straight. She had a look at the winning post but did the job nicely to win. She can be a bit hot and temperamental, but feel we are getting there with her now and I think the key to her today was getting back right-handed. She cornered well, up to 1200 metres suited, and she’s a filly that can go on with it now. It was good to get another nice winner for John (Galvin) and his Fortuna owners.”

Fortuna director John Galvin was on course with a big group of syndicate members and he was also a happy man, “David Ellis picked this filly out of the 2019 Ready To Run Sale for us and we have always had a bit of time for her – she hasn’t had all favours in her previous runs with difficult barrier draws and also needed to mature a bit, but today’s result is very solid and we can look forward to further successes I think. Jamie has taken her along nice and quietly and his patient approach seems to be paying off

“The win meant successive victories for Fortuna Syndications, following Entertainer (Zoustar), who delivered on Sunday night for Te Akau trainer Mark Walker in Singapore – several of the Owners in Charmaine’s Dream also share in the ownership of Entertainer, so its been a great Easter all round for many of our Owners.

“And a special note to the Singapore based Ben Kwok, the Vendor of this filly at the sales – Ben has extensive thoroughbred interests but has retained a 10% share in her

Charmaine’s Dream was acquired by Te Akau’s David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock ready to run sale for $87,500

Charmaine’s Dream was strapped by Trevor Stewart