Hello Hayley secured a Southern Guineas double when taking out the Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Dunedin Guineas (1600m) at Wingatui on Saturday, and trainer Sophie Price is now eyeing the triple crown with her filly.
The daughter of Hello Youmzain was eye-catching when coming from last to win the Listed Southland Guineas (1400m) at Ascot Park a fortnight ago, and despite that effort she jumped a $12.30 sixth elect on Saturday, and jockey Donovan Cooper made favourite punters rue their decision to overlook her.
Hello Hayley settled four-back in the running line, while many of the favoured runners raced handy throughout. Turning for home, Cooper was praying for a gap, which appeared, and he launched his charge through it, with Hello Hayley showing a good turn of foot to pick up the leaders and win by a neck over local hope Golden Spirit.
“She (Price) told me she was better than ever today, she had to dig a bit deeper, but she still won it relatively easy,” Cooper said.
“I was pretty confident when I got back and got a slot in one off the rail. We got good cover and coming into the straight I knew all I needed was a gap. I was that confident the way we were travelling, and I just hoped a gap came in time and it did.
“What a filly. I am really proud of her and I think she is a really nice type coming through.”
Price was on horseback conducting her Clerk of the Course duties when Hello Hayley won the Southland Guineas at Invercargill, but she was able to put her full focus on her horse when trackside on Saturday, and despite losing vision of her during the running, she was rapt to see her pounce through the pack to take victory.
“She has gone huge, it was outstanding,” Price said. I didn’t even see her, I lost her on the TV.”
The Southern Guineas triple crown now looms as a key goal, with the final leg, the Listed Gore Guineas (1200m), transferred to Riverton on April 4 following its abandonment earlier this month. If she performs up to expectations, Price said she is also keen to trek north to Riccarton a week later to tackle Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m).
“I think that (Gore Guineas) is possibly where we will head,” Price said. “We will give her a freshen-up and go to Riverton, which is pretty handy (from Winton base).
“If she goes well we might head to Riccarton a week after and then she will go out for a well-deserved break.”
Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, Hello Hayley is out of the Thorn Park mare Hayley Grace and is closely related to multiple Group One winner Te Akau Shark. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
