Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
A hectic lead time of a scorching 35.3sec. paved the way for American Arma’s victory in the $26,000 HTA Taking You To New Heights Free-For-All for mares at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Trainer-reinsman Colin Brown was content to let American Arma relax three back on the pegs after the polemarker and $2.80 favourite Three Rumours was challenged strongly by $14 chance Midnight Whisper (who led by a length but was unable to cross to the front) and immediately after that by an overracing Alta Cinderella.
And when Alta Cinderella began to wilt approaching the bell, Three Rumours was again seriously challenged, this time by the talented mare Eighteen Carat, the $3.90 second fancy, who charged forward from last at the 1050m with a dashing three-wide burst which saw her head the pacemaker by a half-length with a lap to travel.
Eighteen Carat was unable to cross Three Rumours, and when Jocelyn eased Miss Lamarr off the pegs from behind the leader 550m from home Brown was delighted to fill the vacated position behind the pacemaker.
American Arma was badly blocked for a clear run on the home turn, but when Eighteen Carat began to weaken slightly Brown was able to get his mare into the clear 115m from the post — and she finished fast to get to the front at the 50m and win by just over a length from a gallant Three Rumours.
American Arma, an $18 chance, rated a smart 1.56.1 over the 2130m and her win, her fifth from her past seven starts, improved her record to 23 starts for ten wins, eight placings and stakes of $121,721.