Carbonados caps Clark’s big birthday

Victory aboard the Kiwi-bred Carbonados (NZ) (Belardo) in the A$160,000 NSW Jockeys Association Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday capped a memorable 40^th birthday for jockey Tim Clark.

It was the third win of the afternoon for Clark, who had previously won aboard Funshow (Cosmic Force) and Steel Strike (Exceed And Excel).

Carbonados also provided a winning end to a mixed day for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. The Lindsay Park team had celebrated earlier victories by Touchdown at Flemington and Run Harry Run (Written Tycoon) at Rosehill, but they also had hot favourite War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) late-scratched from the Gr.3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) after bursting through the starting stalls.

Talented gelding Carbonados has been known to mix his performances, with his seven victories sitting alongside several disappointing performances. His form was at a low ebb heading into Saturday, having failed to beat a runner home in his last two appearances at Geelong on January 3 and Caulfield on June 27.

But the good version of Carbonados is a quality racehorse, and the six-year-old proved that point at Rosehill on Saturday.

Clark found himself in traffic trouble just behind the leaders early in the home straight, but he found a way through with just under 300m remaining. Carbonados accelerated through that gap and kicked away to win by a length and a quarter.

“Carbonados travelled up really well,” Clark said. “But then, coming into the straight, I had to figure out how well the horse (Gatsby’s) was going outside the leader. It looked like the leader was going better, so I was happy to stay where I was.

"I had the horse to make a run when the slightest of gaps appeared, and he was able to push his way through and win well.

“Carbonados has been a little hit and miss and hard to catch, but the switching of states and changing things up for him worked well.”

Carbonados has had a total of 22 starts for seven wins, three placings and A$388,710 in stakes.

The Belardo gelding began his career in the New Plymouth stable of Allan Sharrock, and he made a huge impression with a five-length victory on debut on his home track in May of 2023. The runner-up that day was Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), who went on to be a multiple Listed winner and Group Three placegetter. Carbonados was subsequently sold to clients of Lindsay Park.

Bred by David Paykel, Carbonados was purchased for $30,000 by Sharrock out of the Haunui Farm draft during the National Yearling Sale Book 2 session at Karaka in 2022.