Hurrah for Hushed

Hushed (5 g Don Eduardo - Danewhisper, by Danehill) made it three wins from his last four starts with another faultless display in the Fasttrack Insurance Rating 75 2000 metres on June 10 at Riccarton.

He commenced the run recently with a four length win at Blenheim, increased the margin to nine and a half lengths at Timaru, and after getting all favours in front for jockey Matt Cameron obliged by three and a half lengths on this occasion.

The victory provided local owners, Dr. Ron Boet, Anne Hadfield, and The Carers' Syndicate, an opportunity to soak up the excitement on course.

“I managed to take a couple of hours away from the practice and come and take a look at how he's going, and we were here with a few of the other owners,” said Dr. Boet.

“It's the first time I've actually seen him physically run a race, so it was good.

“Matt (Cameron) said the track was very sticky and felt that he had lead around his feet, but he was happy it was the first race.

“He (Hushed) looked fantastic and walked around the birdcage looking like he was the bee's knees, so he appeared pretty confident and sure of himself.  He has grown so much since I'd last seen him and we will see how he goes when he gets up higher in the ratings.

“It's made my day and I'll have a good weekend from now on,” he said.

Five wins in the last six weeks down south have certainly helped boost the successes for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, who lead the premiership with 97 victories this season, while Cameron closed the gap on rival Lisa Allpress to five at the head of the jockey premiership.

Jockey Matt Cameron said: “The horses love it down here and even over the Guineas carnival they seem to thrive.

“It was a really good effort to win and it was great to see the owners on course to lead him in,” said Richards. “We'd been keeping a close eye on weather and track conditions, and although he coped with the slow going he is a horse with a good turn of foot on a good track.

Te Akau principal David Ellis had purchased an earlier half-brother to Hushed, by Align (Night Shift) for $40,000 at the 2010 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park, and racing as Secret Whisper he won four races.

Hushed was strapped by Richard Didham.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz