Photo: Supplied
Back to his best with plenty of gusto, Harlech (7 g Darci Brahma – Obsession, by Bachelor Duke) bolted in when taking out the $80,000 Nellies Restaurant & Bar Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Saturday at Wingatui.
Freshened since running home strongly for fourth in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 28 November at Otaki, the triple Group One runner-up, who won the Easter Cup (Open Handicap, 1600m) last season at Riccarton, Harlech signalled his readiness for the White Robe Lodge WFA (Gr.3, 1600m) on 1 March at Wingatui.
Having his first start on the course, Harlech had blinkers on for the assignment and was beautifully ridden by Kylie Williams, who recorded her 31 st stakes victory.
Drawn barrier 11 of 13, Harlech displayed zest from the gates to cross over into the trail, travelled sweetly inside the 600m, and gave nothing else a chance after quickening clear to win by three and a half lengths.
On Good4 footing, he ran 1400 metres in 1:23.5 and drifted in betting to pay $10.70; $3.60 on the NZ TAB tote.
The win capped a great week for Ballymore Stables trainer Pam Gerard, following victory by Reputation (Iffraaj) in the Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Listed, 1600m) on Thursday at Tauherenikau, Lingjun Xiongfeng (The Factor) ran fastest last 600m (34.3) on the day for second at Tauranga, and Savaglee (Savaglee) finished third in the hotly contested BCD Group Sprint (Gr. 1 1400m) on Saturday at Te Rapa.
Harlech is now right on target for the $220,000 White Robe Lodge WFA (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 1 March at Wingatui.
“He’s been down there with Richie (Fallon) since Shoes ran in the Timaru Stakes in late January at Riccarton,” Gerard said. “It’s a long way to go and we like to get them down there, settled in, and give them a breather.
“Richie has got him pretty fit and the horse just loves being down there stabled at Riccarton. He loves the one-on-one and loves all the attention.
Mikey (Thompson) our racing manager engaged Kylie (Williams) ages ago to make sure we had a rider and she couldn’t have ridden a better race.
“He’s a pretty easy horse to ride, but needs someone that’s confident and Kylie is riding very well.
“I know he drew out, but I did say I’d rather go forward than back and we put the blinkers back on for the first time in a wee while.
“The idea was to be positive, get in somewhere without leading, and she executed everything perfectly.
“We knew he was getting back to his best when he found the line well at Otaki, and it’s just been a matter of being patient and working out a suitable plan.
“Physically, I think he’s only just fully matured and the way in which he won suggests that too. He looks like a complete racehorse now and we’ll keep him going as long as he stays sound.
“Providing the tracks hold up, which they usually do in the South Island, we’ll keep him down there and follow a similar path to last year when he raced so well leading up to his Easter Cup win in May.
“It will be a tougher assignment in the White Robe race at weight-for-age, because (high) weights can stop them, but I couldn’t be happier with his lead-up performance.”
Selected by Paul Moroney and purchased for $100,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, Harlech is from the multiple stakes performed mare Obsession, winner of the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and twice Group One placed in the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and Captain Cook Stakes (1600m).
Sire Darci Brahma (Danehill) hardly needs introduction. An outstanding colt that included the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Telegraph Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) among five Group One wins, before becoming a multiple champion sire.
Harlech is the best performed among seven individual winners from the mare Obsession, whose progeny have now won 18 races.
Harlech is owned by Hugh Fletcher and his wife, Dame Sian Elias, their son Ned and wife Natalie Walker, Roddy; Jenny Paddon, Alan Schmedje, and Ballymore Stables.
He has now won five times and banked over $600,000 in prize money.
Harlech was strapped by Richie Fallon, a vastly experienced horseman and strapper that worked with Mike Moroney, then Mike and Pam when they were in partnership, and now continuing on with Pam.
A character in his own right, Richie lives for the horses and does not mind a trip away – he thrives on tour.