HAYLEY MAKES IT TWO FOR NZ STABLE

Winning two of her last three, Hayley (5 m Sooboog – Duchess Kate, by Savabeel) scored in the $17,000 Noverre @ Waikato Stud Rating 75 1200 metres on 23 August at Taupo.

Overcoming a wide draw (12) to win the Rating 65 1200 metres on 15 July at Ruakaka, Hayley followed with a good second in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 29 July at Te Rapa, and going from strength to strength.

Ridden by Irishman Joe Doyle (27), Hayley sprang the outside gate (8) to lead comfortably, travelled sweetly, and slipped clear on straightening to win easily by one and three-quarter lengths over a good quality field.

“She winged the gates, it was either sit three wide and pull, or I may as well be in front going my own speed,” Doyle said.

“She pricked her ears, relaxed, then quickened up when we turned in and gave her a squeeze. So, very happy and she’s worth keeping going and might pick up a few quid.”

On footing upgraded to Soft7, Hayley ran 1200 metres in 1:14.1, last 600m in 36.6, and drifted in betting to pay $12.90 & $2.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

Representing the sponsor, Waikato Stud, Garry Chittick said: “We always enjoy the racing and sponsoring here at Taupo, and this is one of the pleasant days in terms of climate.

“The meeting always attracts good horses and I’m glad to see Pam (Gerard) and Mike (Moroney) getting their second win on the programme, and they had a nice Ardrossan horse (Rezeki) run second as well.

“I see there’s also a nice bottle of red in this for Mike.”

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).

“Hayley is going well and I think she appreciates the slightly better going,” Gerard said. “She’s hard fit and probably dealt to quite a good field, today, and I get the feeling that she can continue to do it.

“She’s settled down since she first arrived, not so frantic, and she’s finding everything a little bit easier.

“She was able to dictate in front and she’s a hard mare to stop once she gets going.

“Mike (Moroney) said she was very fast when he had her in Australia, but she met some pretty quick sprinters over there, and I think the style of racing here probably suits her.”

Having won a day earlier with Chancellor (Vadamos) at Rotorua, Gerard also commented about earlier winner card Reputation (Iffraaj) and second placed debutante Rezeki (Ardrossan).

“Both Reputation and Rezeki raced up to their trial form and they look like two horses that could continue to work through the grades.

“They’re both really nice types of horses, obviously Reputation has taken a bit of time and from a family that really are four-year-olds and older and I think she could go a long way.

“Rezeki showed a lot as a two-year-old, but needed gelding and he’s come back a different horse. If he keeps going the right way he could be competitive in the three-year-old races.

“It was good seeing him go well over 1200 metres fresh-up at Taupo, and only narrowly beaten by a Group and Listed placed horse.”

Hayley was strapped by Dalpat Singh.