It was hard to think of a more fitting victory on Saturday than when Karman Line dashed home out wide to take out the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m).
The race is named in honour of the late Lisa Chittick (nee O’Sullivan), the sister of former champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan who now trains in partnership with Andrew Scott, with the pair producing the five-year-old daughter of Myboycharlie from their Matamata-based Wexford Stables operation.
Carrying the well-known yellow and blue Wexford colours, Karman Line settled near the rear of the field for rider Masa Hashizume as tearaway pacemaker Impresa bowled along up to five lengths clear during the mid-stages of the contest.
As race favourite Churchillian and local mare Tevere dragged the field up to Impresa approaching the home bend, Hashizume sat quietly before taking his mount wide for one run at the leaders.
Just as Fashion Shoot was being hailed the winner, Karman Line loomed on her outer and with Hashizume desperately slapping her on the shoulder after losing his whip at the 100m, she thrust her head in front on the line to take the win.
O’Sullivan admitted the victory held a special meaning for the family, with his father Dave on-course to witness proceedings.
“We had actually thought we would start her in the Rating 75 1400m which was one race earlier, but when we looked at the prospective fields they looked quite similar on paper,” O’Sullivan said.
“I did say to Scotty it would be a special win if she could get this one as I knew Dad would be on-course for the day and he would get a real kick out of it.
“We just turned the page on her last start at Ellerslie in the Westbury Classic (Gr.2, 1400m) where she beat a couple home as she got back and it was very hard to make ground that day.
“The race today set up nicely for her with plenty of speed on and she got to come with an uninterrupted run which she really appreciated.”
O’Sullivan has lofty ambitions with the mare including a tilt at the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on 30 March in his sights.
“The Breeders’ is a natural target for her as her racing pattern suggest she can get the mile,” he said.
“We will take a look at the programme and assess if she needs a run before then, but firstly we will get her home, look after her and enjoy this victory.”
Bred by the Little Avondale Trust, Karman Line is out of the Pierro mare World Away and is the granddaughter of American Group One winner Miss World, while her extended family also includes Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) winner Miss Finland.
She was purchased by Wexford Stables for $67,500 from the Book 2 Sale at Karaka in 2020 and has now won three of her 14 starts and over $187,000 for her large group of connections.
The victory brought up a winning double for the day for the O’Sullivan and Scott team after Jaffira took out the first race on the card.
-Article by Kevin Robertson/ LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
