Alma Rise romped into possible Group 1 contention with her runaway maiden victory on her home track at Pakenham.The highly regarded daughter of Almanzor had finished runner-up on debut over 1500 metres and relished the second-up rise to 2000 metres to spreadeagle her rivals.“She had progressed well from Sandown and she’ll improve again with the experience,” co-trainer Peter Moody said.“I’m not sure about the quality of the opposition, but she was professional and it was very pleasing. She might be a South Australian Oaks (G1, 2000m) filly.”Alma Rise was quickly into stride to settle third on the fence and was into the clear to take control 400 metres from home and coasted clear by a widening five lengths.“I’ve always liked this filly, she crossed well and then came back to me and she’s classy,” successful rider Jamie Kah said. Alma Rise is raced by her breeder Ed Calvert and is a daughter of the Bertolini mare Fashion Black, who was successful on six occasions. Fashion Black is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner and sire Xtravagant whose brother He’s Remarkable was a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placegetter.

Winning two of his last three, Beau Brummell (3 g Embellish – Fashion Forward, by Pentire) produced a tough performance in the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on Saturday at Riccarton.A course/distance winner by nearly three lengths in the Maiden 1600 metres on 10 February, before a notable fourth in the Southland Guineas (Listed, 1600m) on 17 February at Invercargill, Beau Brummell was given time (35 days) by trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson between runs and presented in top condition.Ridden by Ashvin Goindasamy, who was aboard last time, Beau Brummell pressed forward from a wide draw (15) to lead before gaining cover through the mid-stages and drew on terrific reserves once clear to prevail in a close finish.

After working early in the race and finding as he did at the business end indicates that Beau Brummell is a young horse with a sizeable motor, and the winner of two from five starts appears to have a bright future.In the race sponsored by Selwyn District Council TAB Southern Alps Qualifier, Beau Brummell ran 1600 metres in 1:36.7 on Good4 footing and shortened considerably in betting from $12 fixed to pay $7.00 & $2.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was very good win and positive ride by Ashvin,” Walker said. “He’s really starting to come of age, Beau Brummell, and we’ll just wait to see how he pulls up before making any further plans. He’s maturing nicely with age, like other three-year-olds we’ve got in the stable by Embellish, and they look like they’re going to continue improving.”

Bred by David Ellis CNZM & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, Beau Brummell is shared by them in ownership with Waikato Thoroughbred Racing board of directors Glenn Holmes and his wife Cathie Holmes.

Ellis purchased Embellish (Savabeel) as a yearling at Karaka, and the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner stands at Cambridge Stud, where his oldest progeny are three-year-olds.

Held in high regard as a racehorse and future stallion by Ellis, his belief has been vindicated as the stable leads way with six individual winners by the young sire.

“He’s made a great start to his stallion career with winners in New Zealand and Australia, and this bloke (Beau Brummell) joins some really nice winners we’ve had by him in the stable,” Ellis said.“He ran a good race for fourth in Southland Guineas after only winning his Maiden the week beforehand, and he displayed really good attributes to win today.“

Talisker recorded a hat-trick of wins before finishing second in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and What You Wish For and Glitzy Glory are another couple of promising winners by Embellish that we’ve got in the stable.

“His oldest are only three-year-olds and I think he’s doing a great job at stud.”

Recently, Embellish was represented by Tasmanian Derby (Gr. 3, 2200m) winner Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, who previously won the Lauceston Guineas (Gr. 3, 2100m).

Beau Brummell is from an unraced mare by high-quality sire Pentire, while second dam, Maire Claire, by multiple champion stallion O’Reilly, was a very consistent and talented grey mare, winning six times from 1300m – 1600m including the Kelt Memorial (Listed, 1400m) and stakes placed four times including second to Penny Gem (Pentire) in the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m).

A lengthy break has worked wonders for our promising three-year-old Paragon.

The homebred son of resident sire Embellish was at short odds when he resumed for trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood over 1300 metres at Tauherenikau and he effortlessly justified his support.

Paragon had finished runner-up in both of his juvenile starts, including the Listed Futurity Stakes, but was below par in a couple of runs last spring and was turned out.

The gelding thrived during his time away and an easy lead-up trial win had him in prime order for his return in the hands of Jonathan Riddell.

“He had trialled up really nicely and has strengthened and developed,” Wellwood said.“He looked terrific and we thought he would go really close.”

Fitted with blinkers for the first time, Paragon broke well to lead and when asked to lengthen stride he did so to forge clear and win by two lengths.

Paragon was purchased by his trainers out of our draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $60,000 and we remained in the ownership with our good friends Alan and Kerry Harper.

He is a half-brother to the dual Group winner and joint NZB Filly of the Year Queen Of Diamonds and their dam Love Diamonds is now the dam of nine winners.

From the Eight Carat dynasty, the daughter of Danehill is a sister to the G1 Spring Champion Stakes winner and sire Viking Ruler with their mother the dual elite level winner Tristalove.