Saltwater and sea air have been key ingredients in trainer Nigel Chalmers’ great form in 2025.
Annrose added to the strong results the Waikouaiti horseman has produced this year when she produced a faultless display to score at Ascot Park yesterday in a thrilling finish.
The trotter had shown glimpses of her true ability in three prior starts, but on her farthest trip south she was able to bring her best manners and win for driver Matthew Williamson.
Annrose made her debut early this year as a 5-year-old when running a big third at Cromwell, before later being disqualified.
While she may have frustrated her connections in recent weeks, they are well used to being patient with their trotter.
"She has been a long time coming. We have waited for her," Chalmers said.
"She has been a five-year project because of her family — they all win later on in life.
"So we have waited, but she has always shown the ability so it was good to see her do that today."
Annrose became a third-generational winner for Invercargill breeder-owner Mark Tempelman with her Ascot Park win.
Chalmers trained the mare’s granddam, Watch Rose Trot, to win five races.
The Waikouaiti trainer also briefly trained Annrose’s dam, Pegarose, who won two races for Nathan Williamson.
While 2024 was reasonably quiet for Chalmers, 2025 has been a different story.
Annrose’s victory has come on the back of the trainer producing another trotter to win in Sharma Trouble.
Chalmers said 2025 had been good so far and he was hoping it would continue.
Chalmers credits some of his stable’s strong form to him recently shifting to a new stable at Waikouaiti and being able to work his horses on Waikouaiti Beach.
"I recently had to move to another stable, so they are 24-7 on the beach now and the results are definitely showing."
Annrose is one of the three horses the trainer has in work.
"I have got a young one by Wishing Stone that I am breaking in. We quite like her.
"But we are definitely looking for more."
Matthew Williamson nursed Annrose up the home straight before waiting until late to ask her for her winning effort.
The Oamaru horseman also won with the Tony Stratford-trained Sky Patrol at Ascot Park yesterday.
Williamson then produced a training win when Feta Go Fernco scored for driver Hayden Douglas.
