Concert Hall builds to crescendo with another win

THE Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Concert Hall produced an impressive last-tofirst performance to land the Group III Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham yesterday, setting her up for a tilt at even better things.

Concert Hall had 21⁄2 lengths to spare from Jessiegee, with Tinkalicious back in third.

The daughter of Savabeel has now won three races in succession and claimed her first black-type for Hamilton ownerbreeder Joan Egan.

‘‘I thought it was a bit special,’’ James said.

‘‘She was last for a lot of the race and they haven’t really been getting home that well from the back, so it was a super effort.

‘‘I looked at the half-mile and thought, while we’re last, there is true pace so that helped us. Having said that, it is still a good effort.’’

The four-year-old mare will now tackle the Group I Fiber Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha on April 6.

‘‘It is wonderful for Joan Egan,’’ James said.

‘‘She is a passionate breeder and she has had the family for a long time.

‘‘I can’t imagine the thrill she is getting.’’

Winning rider Matthew Cameron was comfortable going back from the gate and was never too concerned on the wellsupported $1.80 favourite.

‘‘She’s not a horse you want to get too carried away with at the start and we know she has got an electric turn of foot, so I was happy to flop out the back.

‘‘When I got that three-wide train going forward, it got a little bit messy on the turn, I got flushed out trying to keep her balanced, but once she balanced up, she really let-down nicely.’’

Cameron said he thought the step-up to Group I company would not be beyond Concert Hall and there was more to come.

Concert Hall is likely to be one of two runners in the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes for Egan, with the Team Rogerson-trained Sandrine, also a homebred daughter of Savabeel, set to contest the fillies and mares feature.