Stakes redemption calling for Contemplation Bay

[Wandering Eyes]

A year after disaster struck in a stakes race at Riccarton Park, in-form mare Contemplation Bay (NZ) (Rageese) will be back for redemption as she takes on the Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.

The daughter of Rageese was a fast-improving three-year-old, progressing through to an attempt at the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m), but after just 600m, her saddle slipped severely and she was ruled out of contention.

Contemplation Bay swiftly bounced back, winning her final start of the campaign and opening up plenty of opportunities for the following season. Resuming in late August, she failed to show her true ability through the spring, but after trainer Anne Herbert sent her for a spell, she was right back to her best fresh-up in March, winning with authority over 1200m.

On the back-up last Thursday at Ashburton, she continued on her winning way, defeating Candycane and putting her hand up for a tilt at the $100,000 feature.

“I was certainly hoping that she would come back like this and I’d pretty much written off her last prep,” Herbert said.

“I think I made a couple of errors, starting her without a trial first-up and she was just way above herself and over-raced. Then she was possibly still a bit big in her second start, then after that, she just wasn’t racing up to expectations.

“When we took her plates off she had very bruised heels, so I elected to put her out, let her get over that and bring her back so we could start again. That’s why she has concussion plates on, but everything is going well so far.

“I did have this race in mind, but we got going so late and it came up very quickly for her. Traditionally, I’ve been fairly conservative at not backing horses up and I feel like I’m doing that to her, but she’s eating and she’s very bright, so we’ll box on.”

The NZB Insurance Stakes was the mare’s only attempt over a mile, but Herbert holds little concern that she won’t see out the distance.

“I always thought she would get the mile, but the only time I’ve tried her was at Riccarton in a three-year-old race and the saddle slipped,” she said. “She had to be pulled up, so we didn’t get to see her run the distance.

“The way she is running in her last two starts, I’d be really surprised if she doesn’t get the mile. Just at this stage, we’re playing it race by race, so we’ll see how she goes and make a plan after that.

“We can always lower our sights afterwards if it doesn’t come off, but I’m really happy with her.”

Contemplation Bay will continue her partnership with Swedish rider Ulrika Holmquist in the race, an association that goes back to her dam, Ysabella Brave, who was also trained by Herbert.

Whilst riding as an apprentice in New Zealand, Holmquist rode Ysabella Brave in all but two of her 24 starts, winning four races before the mare suffered a career-ending injury.

“Mum was quite a bit smaller with shorter legs and a dumpier body, but she was very, very brave, so she was well-named,” Herbert said.

“She was very tenacious and her career was cut short by a bowed tendon, otherwise I’m sure she would’ve gone on and won more races.”

A Group One-winning trainer through her career, Herbert is now based in Christchurch and has downsized her operation, only preparing Contemplation Bay and her half-brother for a close friend.

“I have a brother of hers that is currently spelling, a three-year-old who hasn’t started yet,” she said. “They are the only ones, they are owned by my best friend Toni Croon so I just do them for her really.

“I’m effectively retired, but it gives me something to do and it’s enjoyable, especially when they’re going well.”

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