Race-caller Tony Lee succinctly summed up the performance of Listed Gallagher Marton Cup (2100m) winner Seraphim when he exclaimed "she just keeps on raising the bar" shortly after runners hit the finish line at Awapuni yesterday.
The royally bred five-year-old mare, a daughter of dual Caulfield and Melbourne Cups winner, Ethereal, notched up her biggest career achievement to date when she out-stayed a handy line-up in the day's feature event.
The victory completed a winning treble that started with a rating 65 grade win over 1550m at the same venue back in November and came off the back of a Trentham success in rating 75 company over 1600m in December.
The ease of those two wins saw Seraphim sent out a warm favourite for her first attempt at stakes company where she didn't disappoint as she held out a determined challenge by local galloper Itsallbelt to snatch a deserved victory.
"The biggest worry we had today was her settling in the race but as you can see, she loves a scrap," said co-trainer Stephen Ramsay after the race. "With the pace on it made for a good race, where the best stayer generally wins.
