A smart first-up performance by In Haste at Taupo on Sunday has set up an exciting spring for the more than 10,000 members of the TAB Racing Club.
The TAB Racing Club, which shares ownership of In Haste with the filly’s breeders SF Bloodstock and Newgate, was launched last September to drive awareness and support for getting involved in racing ownership. Modelled on a similar club operated by Entain through its Ladbrokes brand in Australia, the TAB Racing Club offers TAB customers the chance to opt in to becoming a member of the club and experience the joys of ownership without spending a cent.
In Haste gave the club an early highlight with a four-length win at Matamata in January, and Sunday’s three-year-old debut suggested there could be even better things in store this season.
The Snitzel filly took out the Taupo Pak ‘N’ Save 3YO Fillies (1100m) – a race that has previously been won by emerging three-year-old stars such as Alabama Lass (2024), Quintessa (2023), Best Seller (2022), Miss Aotearoa (2020) and Jennifer Eccles (relegated to second on protest in 2019).
Sunday’s 2025 edition drew a field worthy of the race’s growing reputation. In Haste was opposed by eight fillies including the stakes winner and Group One-placed To Cap It All, the Group Two winner Intention, unbeaten Listed winner Little Black Dress and stakes placegetters Lady Iris and Abbakiss, along with stylish debut winner Lodi Dodi. But it was In Haste who took the lion’s share of the $40,000 prize.
In Haste drew the outside gate but landed in a perfect position for high-flying jockey Opie Bosson, sitting in second on the outside of Lady Iris.
Bosson got In Haste balanced up at the top of the home straight and let her rip, and she burst to a clear lead with less than 200m to run.
Lady Iris and Little Black Dress stuck on solidly on her inside, with To Cap It All and Lollapalooza getting home strongly out wide, but there would be no catching In Haste.
She went on to win by a short neck from Lollapalooza, whose big finish ate into the margin significantly in the final few strides. To Cap It All finished three and a quarter lengths behind the first pair in third.
A half-sister to Group I winner Prompt Response, In Haste became the fourth winner on the seven-race card for Bosson, who had previously won aboard Te Atatu Dream, Carsolio and To Bravery Born.
“It was a really good resuming win by In Haste, after she’d trialled up nicely at Taupo, and another good ride by Opie,” co-trainer Mark Walker said. “He got out to the better ground, got a break on the field and put that winning margin on them.
“She’ll improve out of today’s run and we look forward to taking on Group company next time out in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m).
“This is really good for Newgate Farm and the TAB Racing Club, so we can all be very happy.”
The Gold Trail Stakes will be run at Ellerslie on September 6.
In Haste was offered by Newgate Farm at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where Ladbrokes Racing Club and Newgate Bloodstock bought her for A$400,000. She has now had three starts for two wins, a second and $42,925 in stakes.
“It was a really good win by In Haste and nice to get another one in the TAB Racing Club colours,” Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis said. “She tries hard, obviously has above average ability, and it would be great to get some valuable black type with her next start.
“To line up three horses at Taupo today and get three wins (Carsolio, To Bravery Born and In Haste) is a great result. It shows that Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have got the horses in great order for their first races this season. It’s a credit to all the staff and to the horses themselves, because the conditions became pretty testing with the rain today.”
Lollapalooza was the second major three-year-old placegetter of the weekend for Social Racing, whose white, grey and blue colours were also carried into a runner-up finish by Yokozuna in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday.
In Haste has moved into $10 fourth favouritism in the TAB’s fixed-odds market for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 8. Lucy In The Sky and the Northland Breeders’ Stakes winner Tajana are the equal favourites at $7, with Lodi Dodi the $9 third favourite.
Sunday’s placegetters Lollapalooza and To Cap It All are now rated $16 and $12 chances respectively. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.
