Hualalai ready for Melbourne debut

Darryl Sherer - Monday August 28

Sydney colt Hualalai has fitted seamlessly into the Flemington stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott ahead of his Melbourne debut at Caulfield on Saturday.

Advertisement
Hualalai winning his last start at Rosehill. Photo: Steve Hart

Hualalai is one of 21 nominations for the Group III HDF McNeil Stakes (1200m) and Waterhouse was delighted with the way the colt galloped at Flemington on Monday.

The three-year-old and last start Group III winner Stampede worked over 1200m on the dirt, quickening through the last 400m in 24.73 seconds with Hualalai well on the bridle at the finish under Stephen Baster.

"He's taken to being in Melbourne like a duck to water and his work this morning was super," Waterhouse said.

"Stephen said he was on the right leg all the way, leaned into the corners and felt as though he'd been going this way all his life."

Hualalai last raced when winning over 1400m at Rosehill on July 1 and won a 1045m barrier trial at Randwick on August 21 before heading to Melbourne.

By Street Cry out of Group I winner Aloha, Hualalai cost Spendthrift Farm $625,000 as a yearling and Waterhouse believes the best is still to come.

"He's a big gross colt who finishes his breakfast by the time you get around to feeding the rest of the stable," Waterhouse said.

"He's a horse that does well in the stable and now the trip to Melbourne has sparked him up.

"He's bred to be a super miler - his dam was a Group I winner at 1500m and he's a gorgeous thing to look. The Caulfield Guineas is the race we'd like to win with him but we'll get started on Saturday."

Stephen Baster will ride Hualalai on Saturday.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.