HAYLEY SCORES ON GOOD GROUND AT RUAKAKA

Hayley (4 m Sooboog – Duchess Kate, by Savabeel) continued on an upward plane when winning the $30,000 Happy 70th Murray Rating 65 1200 metres on Saturday 15 July at Ruakaka.

In the corresponding event on 1 July at Ruakaka, Hayley negated a wide draw (11) and fought solidly after jostling in the straight.

Ridden again by two-kilo claimer Elen Nicholas (a2), Hayley again fared badly in the draw (12) but staged a massive effort to prevail. Working forward to position three wide in third at the 600m, she lifted to level a furlong out and went on to score by half a length.

The manner was daring in tactics, but somewhat dictated by the draw and it ended up a top effort by both horse and jockey.

On footing that remained Soft6 throughout the programme and conducive to good times, Hayley ran the fastest (1:10.3) of three races over 1200 metres.

While drawing wide over 1200 metres comes with its obvious reservations, the key for Hayley was to find decent footing and that certainly helped in the final analysis along with weight relief to 54.5kg.

“I actually fancied her from the wide draw and would prefer she drew wide rather than draw in because she’s quite a funny mare and seems to prefer space,” said racing manager Michael Thompson.

“Between me and Elen (Nicholas) we decided to follow Ryan Elliot aboard Golden Hue (barrier 10) and it worked out perfectly.

“She was really well in at the weights, whereas the second and third horses carried 60kg and 59.5kg.”

Co-trainer Pam Gerard suggested prior to the race that Hayley had blown out late at her prior start a fortnight beforehand and a healthy work regime had fitted her nicely for the occasion.

Hayley had previously raced from the Ballymore Stables at Flemington, where trained by Mike Moroney she won over 1100 metres on good ground.

“She was probably a couple of gallops short last time, but Mike (Moroney) has always said to us that she can take the work and he was dead right about that,” Thompson said.

“Dalpat has been riding her for the past couple of weeks and he’s done a really good job riding a few gallops, and fair play to Elen who has done a good job keeping her quiet getting to the start and given her two really good rides.

“She’s a good solid type of mare, quite stocky and has a good hind end on her. It’s a little bit hard to keep a lid on her, but she responds and does well the more work we give her.”

Bred in Australia, by Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) stallion Sooboog, Hayley is out of three time winner Duchess Kate, who included victory in the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), while third dam Eva Grace (Vice Regal) won the Avondale Cup (Gr. 1, 2200m).

Obviously in good fettle, as evidenced by the victory, Hayley is likely to continue racing into the new season, provided decent footing can be sourced, and may then be bred to Tivaci (High Chaparral) when the breeding season starts in September.

She has an excellent pedigree, bolstered by her dam line and has the makings of a nice broodmare.

Hayley was strapped by Rathore Singh.