Cambridge visitor Artiste added another tick in her career win column when she capitalised on a perfect run in transit to take out the WCM Legal Wairarapa Cup (2050m) at Tauherenikau.

 

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained mare has been in sparkling form of late with two wins and a further two placings from her last four starts. That consistency saw her installed as a warm favourite for the contest, with her many supporters never having cause for concern courtesy of a picture-perfect ride from pilot Rosie Myers

 

Myers had the Mastercraftsman five-year-old idling along nicely in mid-field behind a solid speed set by Awatane before easing into contention with 600m to run. Myers tracked her main rival Peso into contention and when she angled off his back at the400m mark, Artiste produced a telling sprint that carried her clear of her rivals and on to a comfortable victory.

 

Co-trainer Andrew Forsman was delighted with the performance and believes it could set his charge up for a tilt at stakes level in the near future.

 

“She got the perfect run with the early speed on and then she was able to track up behind Peso, who we thought was the main danger,” Forsman said.

 

“When she came off his back and sprinted so well, I thought it was all over at that stage.

 

“She is a mare who has really matured during this campaign and we are now seeing the benefit of that.

 

“She is by Mastercraftsman out of a Montjeu mare so you knew that time would be her friend.”

 

Forsman is keen to see Artiste add some back-type to her record that now stands at five wins from 26 career starts.

 

“She is a very valuable mare already, being a full sister to Mime,” he said.

 

“If we could get some black-type with her then that would only add further to what she is already worth.

 

“There are some nice races coming up over the next month or so and given she is going so well it would be foolish not to test her at stakes level somewhere soon.”

 

Artiste is out of Montjeu mare Maidjeu and is the younger sister of multiple Group Two winner Mime who was also placed twice at Group One level.