In Brief
- A more mature Artuso finds the line.
- New arrival impresses at Tasmanian debut.
- Cranbrook retired.
The success of Barbie’s Witness encouraged Spreyton trainer Leanne Gaffney to secure Aragon Star as a stable tenant, and in Devonport last Sunday the move paid dividends.
Aragon Star (Star Witness-Aragonce) was formerly with the Ben Hayes-Tom Dabernig stable and being by Star Witness and from similar bloodlines to Barbie’s Witness, the mare was purchased.
Shares were sold and, like Barbie’s Witness, this latest acquisition delivered at her first start in the state.
“We’ve had so much success with Barbie’s Witness that we thought this mare (Aragon Star) might be worth the risk and the way she won on Sunday you would think she can be very competitive in Tassie,” Gaffney said.
“She has a couple of little issues we have to work on but overall she’s sound and very happy at her new home.
“She has had a tendency to knock herself, so we have to keep an eye on her balance.”
It was the second leg of a winning double for Gaffney who also saddled up Artuso to win a benchmark 60 handicap over 1009 metres.
Artuso won a maiden and a class one in the space of three starts late last year and this latest triumph came at her fifth start this time in.
“Artuso took time to mature but he has developed into a very handy galloper.
“We have to keep him to the shorter distances, but we might step him up to 1350m later on.”
Artuso is by Armidale Stud resident stallion Tough Speed that had a day out on Sunday siring four of the seven winners.
Tough Speed also is the sire of Take the Sit that won a class one handicap over 1350m for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Ryan; The Scott Brunton-trained Street Tough powered home to win a BM74 handicap over 1150m and White Hawk won the BM74 over 1880m for Longford trainer Angela Brakey.
Gaffney also said goodbye to her consistent galloper Cranbrook, that finished out of a place in the BM74 over 1150m.
The gelding won seven and placed eight times from his 29 starts for over $100,000 in stakes and leaves racing to embark on a life in in the equestrian arena with his new owner Hannah Deegan.
“Cranbrook has done a good job for his owners and he leaves the sable in great order and ready for life after racing.”
Watch Aragon Star score an impressive win at her Tasmanian debut last Sunday.