Proisir Filly Impressive on Debut

Media Release - Wednesday October 30

Wexford Stables look to have another exciting youngster on their hands following Hankee Alpha’s impressive debut victory in the Donaghys Uddermax 1200 at Te Aroha on Wednesday.

The three-year-old daughter of Proisir was fair away from the gates and settled at the rear of the field for jockey Lynsey Satherley, who gave her an economical trip along the rail.

Hankee Alpha winning at Te Aroha on Wednesday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Satherley continued to take the shortest path home with her filly and made up significant ground on her rivals when rounding the final bend and Hankee Alpha soon found herself in the lead. She continued her momentum and built a healthy advantage, eventually running out a comfortable 6-1/2 length victor over Adelante.

Purchased for $35,000 by bloodstock agents Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman out of Highline Thoroughbreds’ 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft, Hankee Alpha was entrusted to the care of Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who have taken a patient approach with her education.

She had six trials for the Wexford team, who have long held a high opinion of the filly, which was realised in her dominant debut performance.

“We have been on a wee journey of educating her and the team has done a really good job at home of keeping her settled in,” Scott said.

“We said to Lynsey today to let her get into a rhythm and get her breathing because we know she has got really quick feet. When she goes, she can really let down.

“She has got a good future in front of her and in any ground she quickens well. We have got high hopes for her.”

Advertisement

Scott was full of praise for Satherley post-race, and said she was the perfect rider to continue her education on raceday.

“She is a really good horsewoman and a good horse rider,” he said. “It took a bit of a ride today on this filly because she is not the easiest and we just wanted to make sure we had steady hands on her, teach her and give her a good confidence building experience.

“She will take any amount of improvement out of today.”

Satherley was rapt with the result and believes a bright future is instore for Hankee Alpha.

“I am very lucky to be on her,” she said. “It was a super effort, she is a lovely filly that is really well mannered and did everything I asked. To go out and do it like that is pretty cool.

“She has got a big stride for a little horse, but she travelled easy. She is a lovely filly going places.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Proisir Filly in Picture for $4.5million NZB Kiwi
Explosive filly Hankee Alpha made a big statement at Te Aroha on Wednesday, with a phenomenal performance putting her firmly in the conversation for the major three-year-old races this season.
Aussie Bred HK G3 Double
A pair of Group III races were run at Sha Tin on Sunday with victory in the two last stakes races of the HK season both going to Aussie bred geldings Beauty Joy and Copartner Prance, who is a half-brother to Aquis based sire Kobayashi.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
Ardrossan Supporters Rewarded with Taken
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Countdown to NZB’s 2025 Weanling Sale
The countdown to NZB’s 2025 National Weanling Sale is underway, with a compact yet quality catalogue of 134 youngsters, plus 10 supplementary lots, selling this Thursday 26 June at Karaka.