Magnus Sprinter Breaks Happy Valley Course Record

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday September 22

David Hayes and Zac Purton combined to win the Class Three sprint at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with lightly raced five year-old Magnus gelding Harmony N Blessed breaking the course record for 1000m.

Advertisement

Harmony N Blessing wins at Happy Valley - image HKJC.

Harmony N Blessed raced clear to win by two and a quarter lengths clocking 55.98s to lower Dancing Fighter’s 1000m mark of 56.09s.

The victory also propelled the son of Magnus to equal joint leadership in the HK$1 million DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, the lucrative series involving Class 3 races or above at Happy Valley until 23 February, 2022.
 



“Just being able to let him roll, he really enjoyed it. He let down really nice. He’s always shown he’s been talented, but he beats himself more times than not. He just wants to fight the riders all of the time,” said Zac Purton.

Hayes was elated after posting a double to match that of his sons Ben and JD at Flemington Racecourse earlier on Wednesday.

“It’s been a big day with the boys training a double at Flemington (in Melbourne) today and now this tonight,” Hayes beamed, reflecting on Harmony N Blessed’s effort set a new record.

“It’s always nice to have one (a record) in the back of the book,” the dual Hong Kong champion handler said. “He looked very promising last year, but he was just a bit immature – consistent but immature. This year he’s stronger, he’s eating better and I think we’ve got a very good Happy Valley horse.”

With three wins and three placings from nine starts, Harmony N Blessed was a $60,000 Inglis Premier Book 2 purchase from the Rushton Park draft for John Foote Bloodstock.

Bred by David Brideoake in partnership, he is the best of four winners from Fly to Win, a metro winning full sister to Group III winner Haste Ye Back.

Magnus is a Premium stallion, click for more information.

Magnus stands this spring at Widden Stud Victoria at fee of $15,400.



 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.