Call to Arms breaks maiden ranks, scars & all

It took five-year-old gelding Call To Arms seven starts to win his maiden race, which he did in the Cup Week Tickets on Sale – 1 September Maiden (1400m) on the Polytrack at Riccarton Park on Wednesday.

However, his trainer Andrew Carston explained that he’s done well considering his circumstances and he’s excited about his future.

“He got hurt in a paddock accident as a young horse and he’s probably lucky to be alive,” he said. “He has a big, ugly scar on his hind leg. It was pretty bad.

And in saying that it was probably a bit of a blessing too because time has been his best friend.”

It wasn’t a pretty win either, despite being the $1.40 favourite, the strong-willed son of War Decree took a back seat from the widest barrier of seven, racing rankly throughout, only just getting up through runners to win by a neck with stable apprentice Sima Mxothwa at the helm.

“It was a sticky watch,” Carston said. “From that awkward gate he didn’t really have any option but to go back and ride him for luck, regardless of what he was paying, that’s just how we had to ride him for the future and he was still good enough to win from there.

“He’s just a big boof headed horse that needs to learn to be a racehorse, but he’s improving a lot, he’s quite exciting.

“He will progress from here, I’m confident of that. He’s a handy animal.”

Call To Arms is raced by Palmerston farmer Andy Denham, who has been a loyal supporter of Carston, racing several handy horses including the nine-time race winner Ric O'Shea.

“It’s great to get another win for Andy,” Carston said. “He’s always had a horse with me, and he bred this one too.”

Carston said Call To Arms would likely have his next run on the grass early in the spring.

“He’s taken a little while to learn his craft, he’s a real work in progress but he’s got ability,” he said. “He’s lovely around the stable, but he’s just a bit strong willed to ride.”

Carston was also represented by the Trelawney Stud raced Russian Revolution mare Steezy on Wednesday and he was happy with her run.

“She was good,” he said. “Sima probably got a little bit too excited on her but she went well and she will improve from that run.”

Meanwhile, Carston said he was pleased with the trials of Brave Spirit and Miss Ziggy at Ashburton on Tuesday.

“They’re a couple that we’re excited to see back in action soon,” he said.