Photo: Kenton Wright, Race Images
A brilliant front running ride by Courtney Barnes and a never say die attitude from her mount Hitabell (Embellish) provided trainer Stephen Marsh with a Boxing Day double as the trio combined to claim the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie.
Marsh, who had produced Provence to win the Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes (1400m), had given Hitabell a short freshen up after the filly produced a similar winning performance in the Listed O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui last month, but this time chose to step her up to the 1600m distance for the first time in her career.
Expected to run well but perhaps not trouble the $1.80 hot favourite Sethito, Barnes and Hitabell had other ideas as they set up a leisurely pace to suit themselves as the favourite found herself three-wide in the early stages, before sliding up outside the leader at the 800m.
Turning for home there were many in contention, however both Hitabell and Sethito were kicking on strongly and at the 200m had the finish to themselves.
In a head-bobbing finish, it was Hitabell who proved the tougher of the two as she defeated Sethito by a nose, with Real Class dashing late to take third.
Barnes was delighted how well her mount fought to the bitter end as she refused to yield to the favourite Sethito.
“It was a very good win and she was just so brave,” she said.
“We wanted to be positive from the barrier and when she jumped so well, she put herself on the pace and we could control things from there.
“I was a little worried when the other one (Sethito) cruised up alongside us, but I could feel her building underneath me and she just wouldn’t give in.
“That is the furthest she has gone but the way she relaxes there is nothing to say she couldn’t get a little further than the mile.”
Purchased by Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for just $9,500 from the 2023 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, Hitabell has now had five starts for three wins and $217,110 in stakes and is raced by a group that includes her breeder Sarah Devcich, who owns and operates Henley Park alongside her husband Marc.
The third individual stakes winner for Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish, Hitabell is out of a half-sister to the Eight Carat Classic, Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic winner Shikoba (NZ) (Chief Bearhart). That daughter of Chief Bearhart also placed in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), and was New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year in 2005-06.
