Iloveacalendergirl setting a date at Albion

The efforts of Iloveacalendergirl deserve recognition, because what the talented mare achieved recently in the Sunshine State is something that has rarely been done previously.

Arriving back in the state as a moderately performed two-win performer and still eligible for the Pathway system, Iloveacalendergirl has now graduated to the open class following four consecutive victories at Albion Park.

Now under the care of husband-and-wife team of Charlie Cini and Cristina Monte at Jacobs Well (midway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast), Iloveacalendergirl arrived at their stable earlier this year before making her local debut during the Ultimate Drivers Championship on February 20.

Handled by Luke McCarthy, the mare was beaten into second place behind Sweet Dior (Cam Hart) in a time of 1:52.9.

And then the magic happened.

Iloveacalendergirl would register victories in a Mares Qualifying B Pace, a Mares Qualifying Pace, a Mares Band 5 Pace and then a Mares Open Pace. All were at Albion Park, all at the 1660m and Nathan Dawson driving each time.

Times of 1:52.8, 1:52.0, 1:53.9 and 1:53.0 - and across four consecutive weeks.

Just let that sink in.

Other mares that spring to mind in recent times that have made a splash include:

• Chynchilla: won Mares Qualifying Pace and then Open Mares.
• Sweet Mia: won Mares Qualifying Pace, won Mares Band 5, Won Mares Band 5 and then second in Mares Open.
• Sweet Miracle: won Mares No Band, won Mares Qualifying Pace, won Mares Band 5, won Mares Band 5 and then fourth in Mares Open.

Iloveacalendergirl is thriving in her new surroundings! And this won’t shock anyone given the meticulous detail that the Cini/Monte horses carry each time they present at a racetrack.

“She’s been a complete surprise packet,” Cini stated.

“She’s had a few homes along the way for whatever reason, but there was no expectation when she arrived back in February. I think the owners may have been rejected with her from others, but they asked to give her a go for a month and then report back.”

Following a settling in period, the mare affectionately known as “Allie” adapted to her new surroundings and routine.

“Her attitude is excellent, nice and quiet with no vices. She’s not a flash trackworker and her workload is quite basic but she’s a very good eater and obviously thrives on racing,” Cini said.

“The obvious difference is the headgear. She was wearing all sorts of equipment and we basically stripped it right back and opened her right up.

“We gave her a very quiet trial a few days before her first start and she performed well, all things considered. Her first start for us a few days later via the UDC was pleasing and [she] bounced out of the race really well.”

Over a long period of time, the highly respected couple have trained and raced a lot of good fillies and mares with names like Lefty (17 wins, $117,000), She’s A Lefty (10 wins, $102,000), Chevrons Reward (19 wins, $152,000), Bronski Delight (14 wins, $114,000) and Rebby (13 wins, $84,000) quickly coming to mind.

So, where does Iloveacalendergirl rank amongst the above mentioned?

“We like her, Nathan likes her and she’s trending in the right direction. We’ve had some pretty good luck with barrier draws, which is a major help given our current racing pattern in the state. Those other mares were very classy in their own right; they all did a very good job,” Cini said.

“Ultimately, we plan to give her every opportunity to contest the mares features during the upcoming Constellations carnival during winter, so we’ll know by then I suppose because she’s still learning to race.”

Iloveacalendergirl is raced by her breeders, Bill and Kaylene Polidano and the couple have recently moved to Queensland after being based in Victoria.

The four-year-old mare is by Poster Boy from the unraced Elsu mare Magical Sue who happens to be a daughter of the richly talented Magic In Motion, a 1:55.9 2yo winner at Albion Park back in 2000.

Magic In Motion was raced by her breeders, Kevin and Kay Seymour, and retired from racing following 10 wins from 25 starts before being bred from, given her stout pedigree.

This is the Mistron family and members include the likes of Masterson, Masked Crusader, Strong Don, Mamouna, Might And Glory, Maximillion, Making Magic, Marshall Law and Majestic Mach among many others.

Iloveacalendergirl originally started her career in Queensland under the care of Darren Weeks and Kylie Rasmussen. They then had the filly educated and qualified before being switched to the stables of Sonya Smith and Anthony Butt in Victoria.

The filly won once (at Cranbourne in 1:57.7) from nine starts before relocating to Sydney where she joined the stables of Sofia Arvidsson.

In just four starts for the stable, she managed to win at Penrith in a time of 1:56.4.

Speed has never been the issue for the mare, but with maturity strength is now playing its part.

Now back where it all started, Iloveacalendergirl is thriving and relishing the style of racing the state has to offer.

Speaking of offers, it looks likely the mare will remain and ultimately be bred from in time to come.

“I’m not sure how many agents have called but I’m pretty sure she’s staying put, I believe the plan is to breed once her racing days are over,” Cini said.

Here’s hoping the wins and hits keep coming - just like the 1961 Neil Sedaka hit song, Calendar Girl.

Hoofnote: Iloveacalendergirl won her first Queensland race the day after Neil Sedaka passed away.