Diminutive filly Chartreuse has already exceeded all expectations of her seven female owners after easily winning the Listed $50,000 Wanganui Racehorse Owners' Association Stakes on Saturday.
The 2 1/4-length victory was her third on end and first of her 3-year-old career.
Trained in Waikato by the strong Graeme Rogerson/Stephen Autridge
stable, the St Petersburg filly was bought for a paltry $3500 at the Karaka festival sale by Autridge's wife Lynley.
"Stephen and I were sitting in the bar after spending large sums on the more expensive horses for clients," Lynley said.
"This filly entered the ring and for some reason she just caught my eye.
"I told Stephen to bid on her and when he reached $3500 I nudged him and said that's enough, but we didn't have to go any higher as it was.
"She's turned out to be the best $3500 I've ever spent."
On Saturday rider Michael Walker bounced Chartreuse out to lead from barrier rise and the pair were never headed.
In fact, they streeted their rivals in the straight beating Matamata filly Electrostatic with Solis holding third a further half length behind.
After buying the filly Lynley Autridge sold shares to her mates and she is now raced by seven women.
All but two of the syndicate were on hand to witness Saturday's win.
"She just doesn't do a thing wrong.
"I've raced horses before and they've won a maiden and called it quits, but this filly has exceeded all our expectations," Autridge said.
At the last start of her 2-year-old season, Chartreuse just as easily won the Castletown Stakes at Foxton.
Jockey Walker was suitably impressed with Chartreuse.
She wasn't even blowing - she's amazing," Walker said.
- WANGANUI CHRONICLE
