Cambridge Double - Hayate Happiness

Securing a race-to-race double for stable rider Opie Bosson, Hayate (5 m Maurice – Vamoose, by Admire Moon) won the $17,000 Rating 60 2000 metres on 15 May at Cambridge.

No sooner had Bosson guided stable-mate Luxuriant (Iffraaj) to an easy victory in the Rating 60 970 metres than he was back in winning action again.

A winner earlier in the season over 1550 metres on the poly track at Cambridge, and subsequently second there at her next start, Hayate had been unable to quicken on Soft7 footing in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 8 May at Matamata, and faced both a drop back in grade and step up in distance.

Given an economical trip on the inner from barrier two, Hayate was away from the rail and improving between runners inside the 600m and drew out to win well after arresting the lead mid-straight.

In the race sponsored by Oakvue Lodge/Serenity Park, Hayate ran 2000 metres in 2:04.7 on the poly track and paid $5.20 & $2.20 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“She was helped with a drop back in grade to Rating 60 and it was good to get another win with her,” said Mark Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson.

“Great too, to get another winner for Fortuna Racing, John and Jessica Galvin and their owners, and they’ve had a run of wins in recent weeks.

“She has shown to handle the synthetic surface really well, so should be able to be placed nicely with the upcoming meetings on the poly tracks. 

“It was also good to see her step up and win over 2000 metres, which shows she can handle a middle distance and that too opens up a few further opportunities.” 

A winner on debut in May 2022, Hayate has been a consistent performer and recorded her fourth victory for owners in the Fortuna Hayate Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).

“They were similar sorts of rides,” said Galvin, of the piloting by Bosson. “He bided his time, got them off the rail at the right time and they both won well.

“Her (Hayate) race last week, while she disappointed, the track was probably a bit sticky for her. And I think it was a clever decision by Mark (Walker) to back her up a week later, given that she was going to drop in grade and also get up in trip.

“We now know she can run the 2000 metres and she certainly wasn’t stopping. It was a lovely win, but now she’ll be back up in grade, of course. 

“She’s always given us the signal that she’s been looking for more ground and, finally, we’ve managed to get her there.  She’s a five-year-old now, but she’s sound and now that she’s up in trip, there could be a few more wins in her, as well.

“She’s quite adept on the poly track, so that will provide more opportunities. While she likes the sting out of the tracks, she doesn’t like it too heavy. And the poly track, as we know, suits those sorts of horses that aren’t necessarily firm track horses but also don’t like it heavy, either.”

From the draft of Mapperley Stud, Hayate was bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $80,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale. 

Her winning over a longer trip is commensurate with comments Ellis made at the time of purchase, when saying: “The dam, Vamoose, is a half-sister to the Caulfield Cup (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Admire Rakti (Heart’s Cry). It’s some of the best blood in the world and Maurice was a Champion racehorse.”

An Arrowfield shuttle stallion, Maurice (Screen Hero) was the 2015 Japanese Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter, and Champion Miler, and became one of the hottest young sires in Japan.

Fortuna Racing, which has enjoyed a long and fruitful association with Te Akau, reached the pinnacle with former star stable-mate Melody Belle (Commands), a dual Horse of the Year and domestic record-holder with 14 Group One wins, while earlier this year was represented by Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner Bellatrix Star (2 f Star Witness – Alana’s Party, by Exceed and Excel).

Hayate was strapped by Cooper Stumbles. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz