He's Our Hero

In a thrilling resumption to his campaign, Heroic Valour (3 c Fastnet Rock - Myrrh, by Nassipour) got his head in front where it matters most to win the $50,000 Tavistock Northland Breeders' Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on August 10 at Ruakaka.

Unbeaten in four starts, the $200,000 Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner looked to have his work cut out when urged at the 600m but after squeezing into the clear a furlong out he charged home to score narrowly for jockey Matt Cameron and the Te Akau 2015 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“He had to do it the hard way, to pick a path, but for the horse going forwards it was probably the best thing for him,” Cameron said.

Following two quiet trials, and after finishing second in the honours for Champion Two-Year-Old, Heroic Valour could not have kicked off in better fashion. His preparation being a credit to trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, and bookmakers were quick to shave a point off his quote - now $5.00 favourite - for the $400,000 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on November 5 at Riccarton.

Favourite from the outset of betting, Heroic Valour paid $2.50 & $1.30 on the tote and ran the 1200 metres in 1:11.3 (last 600m 35.8) on Dead4 footing.

David Ellis purchased Heroic Valour as a yearling for $400,000 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud. From the same draft, Ellis also secured his full brother for $510,000 in January this year at Karaka. Named Heart of Courage, he is scheduled to have his first trial on 11 October at Cambridge.

“It was the performance of a very, very good colt,” Ellis said. “Having his first start since early March, he had to be used up at the start to get over from a wide draw and to still have enough to fight on at the finish I thought was very exciting.

“So, I was just stoked for everyone that's involved with this colt”, Ellis added.

Heroic Valour will now prepare for the $100,000 Sacred Falls Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 1 October at Hastings.

Co-trainer Jamie Richards said: “There is always a bit of pressure bringing these sorts of horses to the races, so I'm glad to see him do it and Matt (Cameron) rode him super.

“I couldn't be more pleased,” Richards added.

“While he may not be a colt that ever wins by much, he gives his all and I think he's pretty good.

“David (Ellis) bought him at Karaka, to be a stallion; he's owned by a great syndicate and hopefully we can continue down the path to the 2000 Guineas,” Richards said.

Heroic Valour was strapped by Teina Walters.

 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

Back