A Very Hasty Win
24 January, 2025
Justifying favouritism without any concerns, In Haste (2 f Snitzel – Prompt, by Exceed And Excel) won the $25,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 22 January at Matamata.
Displaying natural ability from the outset and having won two of three trials, In Haste had fought hard for second after contesting a competitive pace when debuting in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 30 November at Ellerslie, quickened to advantage when winning her trial on 14 January, and rated a top three chance from barrier one.
Ridden by premiership leading jockey Craig Grylls, who was also aboard on debut, and finished second on stable-mate Lady Of Court (Savabeel) in the first race on the programme, In Haste sidled onto the lead inside the 1000m, appeared to travel best turning for home, and soon quickened to a wining advantage.
“It was pretty easy and the race-day experience probably helped,” Grylls said. “We got to the front, she relaxed nicely and found a really good kick off the turn, so it was pretty easy and I think she’s got a bright future.”
On footing upgraded to Soft5, In Haste ran 1200 metres 1:11.5, last 600m in 35.3, winning by four and a quarter-lengths, and paying $2.10 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.
In the same race, stable-mate Born To Be Royal (2 f King’s Legacy) extricated from a tricky position rounding the home turn and finished off solidly for second.
In Haste was bred by S F Bloodstock L L C and shared by them in ownership by Newgate Operations Pty Ltd, SF Bloodstock LLC Ltd & TAB Racing Club, whose dark blue & red colours she races in.
“It was a really good win by the filly, having just her second start, and nice to get one in the TAB Racing Club colours.
“She went a good race for second on debut at Ellerslie, had a nice break, and it was good to get Blake Shinn on her the other day when she won at the trials.
“It was another good positive ride by Craig Grylls, riding his third winner for us this week, and he took any bad luck out of the equation.
“She’s only a small filly at this stage, but tries really hard, obviously has above average ability, and it would be great to get some valuable black type with her next start.”
Walker suggested that safely through the run, In Haste would prepare for the $225,000 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on Saturday 15 February at Matamata.
A race they have previously won nine times, Te Akau won the Breeders’ Stakes last year with subsequent Group One winner Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), who resumes in the $700,000 Sistema Railway (Gr. 1, 1200m) on Saturday at Ellerslie.
In Haste is by four-time Champion Sire in Australia, Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), who serves so well the trilogy of Danehill – Redoute’s Choice – Snitzel, which is unrivalled in great Australian thoroughbreds.
Snitzel was the Leading Sire of Two-Year-Olds four times and also leading Australian Sire of earnings worldwide.
Snitzel is also the sire of Group One winner and Champion Two-Year-Old Sword Of State, purchased as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, and now standing at Cambridge Stud.
Dam, Prompt, by Champion Sire Exceed and Excel (Danehill), has done a great job as a broodmare, leaving four individual winners of 11 races, including Group One winner and three-time Group Two winner Prompt Response (Beneteau).
The grand-dam, Amnesia (Desert Sun), was a very good race mare, winning five races from 1100m – 1480m, and multiple group-placed.
Dam sire Exceed and Excel (Danehill) retired from stud duties in 2024, as one of the greatest stallions to ever stand in Australia. A revered international shuttle stallion for Darley, Exceed and Excel is one of only seven stallions to sire in excess of 200 stakes winners.
A sire of sires and a leading broodmare sire, Exceed and Excel has always been regarded as a highly reliable source of speed.
In Haste became the eight individual two-year-old winner for Walker & Bergerson this season, who have lined up 13 runners in 22 races.
In Haste was strapped by Errol (Egg Roll) Rich.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz
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