First SW for Complacent - Hi Yo Sass Bomb Wins G3 Cuddle

Media Release - Saturday March 16

Saturday’s Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham delivered multiple milestones for the connections of Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb.

The underrated five-year-old became the first stakes winner for her New Plymouth trainer Kim Reid, who also co-bred and part-owns the daughter of Complacent. Hi Yo Sass Bomb was ridden to her Cuddle Stakes success by Irish jockey Joe Doyle, who notched up his 100th win in New Zealand.

Hi Yo Sass Bomb strides to a deserved black-type crown in the Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday under Joe Doyle.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

It was also a well-deserved turn at the top of the podium for Hi Yo Sass Bomb herself. Her previous appearances at black-type level had produced a sixth in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m), fourth in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), a close fifth behind class mare Campionessa in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m), and a last-start second to Contribute in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m).

There was a six-week gap between the Taranaki Cup and Saturday’s Cuddle Stakes, but Reid kept Hi Yo Sass Bomb up to the mark with a trial win at Foxton on March 7. She was at fever pitch for Saturday’s $120,000 fillies and mares’ feature, and she swept to an emphatic victory under a well-timed Doyle ride.

Hi Yo Sass Bomb jumped well from her inside gate and slid forward in the first 100m of the race, then Doyle was happy to take up a position in third as Kelly Coe led the field down the back straight at a strong tempo.

Kelly Coe opened up a big lead and was still clearly in front rounding the home turn, but then Doyle pushed the button and Hi Yo Sass Bomb pounced.

She charged to the lead with 300m remaining and kicked away, keeping enough petrol in the tank to hold out a strong late challenge from Apostrophe and win by a long neck.

“It’s bloody amazing,” said Reid, who currently has just the one horse in work and has saddled a total of five winners from 35 runners.

“I was hoping all the way down the straight, and I know she’s as tough as nails. For her to get the win is amazing. It’s awesome.

“She’s a real family horse. We bred her and we’ve had her all the way through, and my parents have been involved all the way through too. It’s just amazing. It’s really cool.”

Advertisement

Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s 15-start career has now produced four wins, four placings and $163,520 in stakes.

“She’s been fitting to her name, she’s been quite sassy at times, but she’s really grown into it these days and is a real professional,” Reid said. “People keep saying she’s just a mudder, but I think she’ll run on anything. She’s such a neat horse. We’ll wait and see what we do with her next, but it’s great to get this win with her.”

The TAB now rates Hi Yo Sass Bomb a $14 chance for the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on March 30. That market is headed by La Crique ($3.20), Molly Bloom ($4), Pearl Of Alsace ($6) and Mustang Valley ($8).

Doyle was delighted to complete his century of Kiwi winners, which includes 13 at Group or Listed level.

“That’s 100 New Zealand winners, and I want to thank everyone that’s looked after me over the last 18 months or so that I’ve been riding here,” he said. “Hopefully the next 100 will be as quick!

“This mare was really good today. Fair play to Kim – she had her in absolutely top nick for this race. We travelled comfortably all the way and we were going a good, strong gallop. She picked up well and hit the line strongly.

“It’s a big day for Kim and the team, and I was very happy to do the steering for them.

“I would have been happy enough to lead, but luckily enough we had a hare to chase down. It was just a comfortable, easy win in the end. I’m delighted.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes Gr3 1600m

Trentham Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:35.57
1
Hi Yo Sass Bomb
- 5m Complacent (AUS) x Hi Yo Soo (NZ) (Spartacus (IRE))
Tnr: Kim Reid Rdr: Joe Doyle 55
2
0.4
Apostrophe
- 6m Tavistock (NZ) x Cape South (NZ) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: M Hashizume 55
3
1.2
The Hottie
- 6m Swiss Ace (AUS) x The Countessa (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Robbie Patterson Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55
4
3.7
No Rain Ever
- 3f No Nay Never (USA) x November Rain (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: W J Thurlow Rdr: W B Kennedy 53
5
5.7
Gentian Blue
- 5m Reliable Man (GB) x Emma's Choice (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: M Van Lierde Rdr: T L Newman 55
6
5.8
Reputation
- 4m Iffraaj (GB) x Tenacity (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 55
7
6.8
Rocababy
- 4m El Roca (AUS) x Christine Ann (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: A M Clement Rdr: L Sutherland 55
8
7.8
Madame Moet
- 6m Iffraaj (GB) x Champagne Katie (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Ms P M Mason Rdr: K R Hercock 55
9
8.3
Faraglioni
- 5m El Roca (AUS) x Catch Your Idol (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Joshua Shaw Rdr: L J Allpress 55
10
9.6
Kelly Coe
- 6m Proisir (AUS) x Floridita (AUS) (Fasliyev (USA))
Tnr: A J Meadows Rdr: A Comignaghi 55.5
More Reading...
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.