7 WINS - 48 HOURS: Swiss Queen Rules

Securing a third win on the programme for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Geneva Queen (4 m Swiss Ace – Sigiriya, by El Roca) produced another stylish performance in the $18,500 McLeod Hiabs Rating 65 1100 metres on 9 October at Taupo. 

Having commenced in good fashion when winning with plenty of authority in the Maiden 1050 metres on 16 September at Matamata, Geneva Queen rated a top three chance, but like stable-mate Petite Rocher (Grunt), who won an earlier event, she required luck from a wide draw (11).

Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a1), who also rode Petite Rocher, Geneva Queen was easy through the early stages to settle tenth of 11, had to check when runs were being made nearing the home turn, but drawn widest in the straight she powered home to snatch victory.

“There was a lot of speed on paper and it worked out just like that,” Hassman said. “She stepped away a bit slowly, which worked in our favour, and was able to follow the pace and get into the race at the right time.

“We bided our time a bit, held her together, and she’s really let down well. She putting things together so nicely and the team have done a good job with her. 

“I was confident on the line. One came up to challenge us, but she’s so gritty and tough.

“She’s a bright, happy, horse at the moment and so happy - she was still looking round after the line.”

On footing that remained Soft5 throughout the day, Geneva Queen ran 1100 metres in 1:05.3, last 600m in 35.2 (approx.), and paid $6.00 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a really good win, today, because she received quite a nasty check coming up the hill before the turn, and Hayley did well to get her balanced again and really surged late to the line,” Walker said.

“Good to see her record back-to-back wins this time in for John and Jessica (Galvin) and all their owners in the syndicate.

“The way she won suggests she should win more races.”

Owned by the Fortuna Geneva Queen Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased by Sir David Ellis and Fortuna Racing for $70,000 at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Westbury Stud.

By resident, long-serving, and versatile Westbury Stud sire Swiss Ace (Secret Savings), Geneva Queen is out of a mare by another of their durable Group One producing sires, El Roca (Fastnet Rock). 

“It’s always good to come here and win races at Taupo, and we’ve had plenty of success over the years,” Galvin said.

“It was a terrific effort by the horse and well done to Sir David Ellis for picking out this lovely race mare for us.

“It’s not easy to win a Maiden race and step up to win a Rating 65 race at the next start. It doesn’t happen very often, but it shows her ability, and it was a gun ride by Hayley from a wide draw. 

“The speed was on, which was set-up for her, but she took the initiative to come wide on the home turn and she got the desired result in the end. 

“Well done to Mark, Sam, and Reece, the training team have a lot of time for her. She had a close second on debut at Matamata, then struck a couple of heavy tracks, but she’s really come into it this season, matured and developed.

“Well done to the ownership team. Carol Devcich has come all the way from Caloundra, and Peter Jackson, who’s about to go to Fiji. 

Geneva Queen was strapped by Kohen Collett. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz