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Important update on 1476AMCharmrose proves too quick at Ellerslie
Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • April 18th, 2026 6:01 pm
Charmrose winning at Ellerslie | Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Speedy mare Charmrose proved too slick for her open class rivals when she led from pillar to post in the Elsdon Park 1200 at Ellerslie.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Charm Spirit has a real penchant for freewheeling out in front in her races and Saturday’s contest was no different as rider Craig Grylls took her straight to the front and made his rivals chase hard all the way.
The mare was travelling like a winner turning for home and shot three lengths clear. Despite weakening noticeably in the final 50m she had enough in hand to hold out the late charge of Grande Gallo, who closed to within a length at the line, and Frostfair who made good ground out wide to take third.
Bergerson had confidently predicted that the five-year-old mare was the best of the stable’s chances in the race and was delighted his judgement had proven to be right.
“It was a good, positive ride by Gryllsy as he knows her well and she is not the easiest,” Bergerson said.
“Dave and Nicky (Hurst), the owners, have been really patient with her as she has a few tricks and eventful moments, but she is a really talented mare.
“She has a good front running style. We have tried to ride her back but she doesn’t really like that and is happy bowling along out in front under her own steam.
“We would love to try and get some black type with her but whether that is this season or next we’re not really sure, but we also think she has more room to improve.”
Grylls was wary of his mount knocking off in the closing stages but was ready for any eventuality.
“She has shown what she can do and is becoming a horse with a very tidy record,” Grylls said.
“First time up in grade today but she dropped down in weight (54.5kgs), so the plan was to be positive.
“She travelled well to the 200m but she always seems to wobble there and I have been caught out before on her. I gave her a kick and although I felt I had them covered, she was starting to walk in the last 50m.”
Bred and owned by Dave and Nicky Hurst, Charmrose has now won five or her 16 starts and more than $163,000 in prizemoney.
She is out of the Pins mare Sovereign Rose, who was purchased for them by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis as a yearling at Karaka and is a daughter of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) runner-up Pavan.
