The Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) for two year-olds drew a well-bred competitive field at Flemington on Oaks Day with victory going to a blue-blooded son of All Too Hard, who is blessed with his father’s head.
Trained out of Lindsay Park by the Hayes Dabernig team, Hard Landing showed abundant natural pace to be in contention all the way and was tenacious to the line for Luke Nolen to beat his stablemate Baaqyah, a daughter of I Am Invincible.
A half head separated the pair at the finish with co-trainer David Hayes holding both youngsters in high regard.
“They’ve got the right pedigrees and they’ve both worked well so it’s good to see them come out and run up to that,” said David Hayes.
“He has a great physique, but has a very plain head, which I think was why we got a bit of discount on him… he’s growing into it though!
“We see him as a Blue Diamond and Slipper horse , so you won’t see him again for a little while.”
A $280,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Vinery draft for Lindsay Park Racing/Andrew Williams Bstock, Hard Landing runs for a syndicate that includes Neil Werrett and Steve McCann, who bred him and raced his mother Snitzerland with great success.
Hard Landing is the second foal and first winner for Snitzel mare Snitzerland, who won over $1.9 million with a career highlight win in the Group I VRC Lightning Stakes and a second in the Golden Slipper.
Snitzerland has a yearling colt by I Am Invincible and has foaled this spring producing another colt by I am Invincible.
Hard Landing is the 12th stakes-winner for Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard, who was likewise criticized as a young horse for having a plain head. As time goes on and that plain head starts winning races it looks prettier and prettier!
All Too Hard has had a great start to the season with Hard Landing being his fourth stakes-winner since August 1.
Priced at $27,500 by Vinery Stud this year, which is his least expensive fee since retiring to stud in 2013, All Too Hard is a great value option for breeders late in the season looking to get their final mares in foal to a proven sire.
