She’s Unusual cruises to front-running success
NZ Racing Desk • June 21st, 2025 4:43 PM • 4 min read
Five-year-old mare She’s Unusual made the most of some cheap sectionals to lead her rivals a merry dance when winning the Elite Sand & Soil Handicap (1800m) on Saturday under an astute front-running ride by Tommy Berry.
Prepared by John O'Shea and Tom Charlton, She’s Unusual was off and gone rounding the home bend and had just under two lengths to spare at the post from runner-up Gentileschi.
A maiden winner in New Zealand for Fraser Auret, She’s Unusual was subsequently purchased by OTI Racing.
She’s Unusual was having just her tenth start on Saturday and has now recorded four victories with a further five minor placings.
“She's had a couple of setbacks through previous preparations with us, when already having a really good record,” Charlton said.
“She got to probably her favourite trip today on a slightly sounder surface than she's raced on recently and she was ridden beautifully by Tommy. It was a really pleasing watch.
“She broke 34 seconds home, so she's quite an effective horse. She's not short on toe, and she can obviously handle herself at this 1800m and 2000m distance, which leaves us a lot of options going forward.”
Winning rider Tommy Berry had no doubt the race was done and dusted in the early stages.
“I knew we’d be hard to beat after I went across the crossing at the mile,” he said.
“It helps when you've got a horse that can break away so well and when you find your spot within 100m.
“Glen Boss and Corey Brown always said anything from a mile forward, you win the race in the first furlong or furlong and a half, and we did that today.
“She got into a lovely rhythm. She gave me a lot of confidence when I rode her on Tuesday morning. Stepping up from 1400m to 1800m is always a bit of a query, but she's so clean in the wind and when you get away with those sectionals, and quicken up at the 600m, they’re hard to beat.”
The winner of an Awapuni maiden over 1400m for Fraser Auret in late 2023, She’s Unusual was bred by Auret’s parents Nigel and Adaire.
She’s Unusual is a daughter of Unusual Suspect, who stands at the Auret family’s Letham Stud, where the stallion has carved a good niche producing middle-distance gallopers and is the sire of 48 winners from 83 starters.
