Carmenere gave his owners some anxious moments before they could celebrate a well-deserved victory at Ipswich on Wednesday.
The Onemorenomore gelding gained a nose decision over Major Improvement in the Schweppes Maiden Plate (1350m) and then survived a protest from the runner-up.
Carmenere (3g Onemorenomore – Cuchurita (CHI) by Dushyantor) has been dogged by bad barriers and trainer Brad Herne scratched him from a Gold Coast engagement last Saturday after drawing wide. He jumped from gate 8 of 12 around the tight Ipswich circuit and was given every possible chance by in-form jockey Brad Pengelly.
The winner cost $22,500 as a yearling and had been placed at Sunshine Coast (2) and Doomben in his only other outings before travelling to Ipswich. He is raced by a large syndicate that includes Justin Bates and First Up Racing manager Blair Drinkwater.
“Brad has done a great job keeping Carmenere up for so long,” Drinkwater said. “He was still in tip-top shape for Ipswich but that will most likely be the last run of his first campaign.”
Carmenere’s dam was imported to Australia by Patinack Farm and is a sister to G1 Chilean Oaks winner Candy Doll. The mare’s next two colts by Casino Prince and Trusting were sent to South Korea and she has a filly foal by Lope De Vega.
Vinery sire Onemorenomore is riding high at the top-end of the Australian second-season premiership with earnings over $1.24 million. He has sired 34 winners of 49 races this season and puts him third in both categories behind I Am Invincible and Nicconi.
One of the value-plus sires standing the Hunter Valley, Onemorenomore is available for a $6,600 (inc GST) fee at Vinery this year.
