There was plenty of hype surrounding Harlech heading into his raceday resumption at Matamata on Wednesday and the exciting three-year-old duly delivered, taking out the Waharoa Transport CO(1995) Ltd 1200.
The Michael
Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained gelding settled midfield for jockey Cameron
Lammas before looming four-wide on the turn and easily accounted for his
opposition in the home straight, winning by 1-1/2 lengths over Minnallines,
with 1-1/4 lengths back to Striking in third.
Gerard admitted to being slightly anxious heading into Wednesday, but was calmed by Lammas' confidence and was delighted with the result.
"He's a nice horse and he trialled up nicely," she said. "I was a little bit worried, but Cameron was so confident this morning and said I had nothing to worry about.
"He has been full of confidence the whole way through, it was a nice win."
The victory marks an exciting season to date for Harlech's sire Darci Brahma, with The Oaks Stud stallion also siring fellow three-year-old, and dual stakes winner, Catalyst.
"Darci Brahma has just had an amazing season so far, he certainly did his job that year," Gerard said.
"I don't know if he is a Catalyst, but we will be chasing him home."
The duo are set on a collision path towards the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November with Harlech likely to target the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on Labour Day, prior to heading south.
"He will come back here (Matamata) for the three-year-old 1400m (October 12) and then head to the Sarten and then fly to Christchurch, all going well," Gerard said. – NZ Racing Desk
