Big Day for Frankel - Hungry Heart Captures ATC Australian Oaks

Mark Smith - Saturday April 17

Shortly after the two-year-old Frankel gelding Converge opened his stakes account in the Listed Fernhill Hcp, Frankel’s star three-year-old daughter Hungry Heart added a second Group 1 to her CV with a dominant performance in the $1million ATC The Star Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

Kerrin McEvoy's smile tells the story (image Steve Hart)

The winner of the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) a fortnight back, the Chris Waller-trained chestnut came with a well-timed finish under Kerrin McEvoy to defeat the Shamus Award filly Duais by one and a quarter lengths with the Ocean Park filly Bargain a short-neck back in third.

The elegant daughter of Frankel advanced her record to four wins and four seconds from 12 starts with earnings of $1,547,700.

“She is very special. As we said after her first Group 1 win a few weeks back. the international stage is what racing’s all about,” Waller said.

“People are recognising Australian racing for all the right reasons during Covid and when you’ve got a Frankel filly winning the Australian Oaks, I think it’s pretty special.

“She backed up that good run two weeks ago and it’s a good advertisement for our system. We had her running in the Golden Slipper, and now she’s running at the extreme distance (2400m) for a three-year-old filly, so thanks to my team and obviously a great ride by Kerrin McEvoy.

“she’s just matured with age. As a two-year-old she used to get on her toes and be a bit bubbly as you’d expect a young filly to be. As a three-year-old now, only 12 months later she’s really matured into a relaxed beautiful horse to work with.”

Advertisement

Purchased by Belmont Bloodstock Agency for $300,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Hungry Heart races in the colours of her breeder, Yulong Investments.

Hungry Heart is the first foal of her dam Harlech (GB), who Godolphin sold off after failing at her only start in England.

Hungry Heart a $300,000 Magic Millions Yearling

A daughter of the excellent broodmare sire Pivotal, Harlech (GB) was purchased by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock / Yulong Investments for $60,000 gns out of the Godolphin draft at Tattersalls. Put in foal to Frankel (GB) to southern hemisphere time, Harlech (GB) landed in Australia in January 2017.

Harlech (GB) is a half-sister to the Group II-placed Maamora (Dubawi) out of the stakes-winning Azamour mare Zoowraa, from the family of the Belmont Stakes and Preakness Stakes winner Risen Star.

Yulong consigned a Snitzel half-sister to Hungry Heart to the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale but took her home when bidding fell short of her $650,000 reserve.

Not covered in 2019, Harlech (GB) visited Alabama Express last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Australian Oaks Gr1 2400m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 2:33.58
1
Hungry Heart
- 3f Frankel (GB) x Harlech (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
2
1.3
Duais
- 3f Shamus Award (AUS) x Meerlust (AUS) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: Edward Cummings Rdr: J Bowman 56
3
1.5
Bargain
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Shopaholic (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
NZB Karaka Book 1 $140,000
Seller: Waikato Stud Ltd
Buyer: R Yiu
4
2.4
Amarelinha
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Hopscotch (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 56
5
2.7
Montefilia
- 3f Kermadec (NZ) x Bana Wu (GB) (Shirocco (GER))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: J R Collett 56
6
3.7
Signora Nera
- 3f Sweynesse (AUS) x Madonna Mia (NZ) (Red Clubs (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Avdulla 56
7
3.9
Harmony Rose
- 3f Glass Harmonium (IRE) x Gowana (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J Parr 56
8
4.9
Land Ahoy
- 3f Dundeel (NZ) x Aiden Sea (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: A B Collett 56
9
7.3
Impecunious
- 3f Sacred Falls (NZ) x Sheezababe (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Oliver 56
10
9.3
Sassysav
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Rock Diva (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Craig Williams 56
More Reading...
Heart Stopping Win by Hungry Heart in Vinery Stud Stakes
Yu Long Investments gorgeous homebred Frankel filly Hungry Heart overcame the track bias when coming from last to run down the brave favourite Harmony Rose in Saturday's Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Frankel's Hungry Heart Captures Phar Lap Stakes
Hungry Heart earned a legion of fans last season when she won the Group II Sweet Embrace Stakes before a fighting fifth in the Golden Slipper.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Hungry Heart Brings Up a Half Century for Frankel and Earns a Spot in the Golden Slipper
Exciting Frankel (GB) filly Hungry Heart staged a last to first performance in Saturday’s $200,000 Group II Drinkwise Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick to book a spot in the $3,500,000 Group 1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill on March 21.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.