WINNER: Hakkinen Motors Home

Backed as unbeatable ($1.30), Hakkinen (5 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia, by Smart Missile) made it back-to-back impressive victories in the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres on Saturday at Riccarton.

A smart trial winner on 25 August at Ashburton, Hakkinen had stylishly rounded up the leaders when resuming with victory in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 12 September at Riccarton, at rated a top three chance in the same grade.

Ridden by award winning Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a1), who scored during the week aboard stable-mates at both Timaru and Te Rapa, Hakkinen was allowed to find his feet four back on the outer, travelled easily in sixth at the 600m, and once presented in the home straight, he sailed on by to win by three lengths.

“It was a great ride by Hayley (Hassman) to get cover and then peeled out, didn’t make a fuss of it and went straight past them,” said assistant trainer Hunter Durrant, who manages the Te Akau South Island stable for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. 

“His two runs and wins have been very similar, this time in, and he’s a progressive horse to have down here at this time of year.

“He’s still down in the ratings, only 74 before this race, and there are plenty of nice races available to him.”

Walker added: “It was another really good performance and a lovely, patient ride by Hayley, who continues doing a great job for us. 

“He took good confidence from his fresh-up win and he won really well again today. The big, roomy, track at Riccarton suits his style of racing and he wound up strongly in the straight. 

“Hunter (Durrant) and the team have got him going along beautifully and the change of scenery is certainly agreeing with him.”

It was another telling performance from a horse that impressed winning over a mile as a three-year-old, finished fourth in both the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) and Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), and after following a quieter four-year-old season, he has signalled his intent with two very smart wins.

In the race sponsored by Speight’s Summit Ultra on Tap, Hakkinen ran 1600 metres in 1:35.2, last 600m in 34.3 (approx.), on footing upgraded to Good4. 

Owned by the Te Akau Flying Finn Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM), Hakkinen was bred by the 2016 Te Akau Scandinavia Syndicate and purchased by Sir David Ellis for $250,000, from the draft of Phoenix Park, at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale. 

By Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) winning three-year-old and 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Hakkinen is from a mare by terrific sire Smart Missile (Fastnet Rock), a Group Two winner and Group One placed sprinter, sire of over 1700 winners.

“I thought Hakkinen was impressive when he won there first-up and no different this time, so it’s very exciting to see him fulfilling his potential after showing so much as a three-year-old,” Ellis said.

“He was the first foal out Miss Scandinavia and the second live foal, Raikkonen, a three-year-old also by Savabeel, trialled well for third through the week at Avondale, and Hayley rode him too. 

“Hakkinen is at a nice place in the ratings for the boys to find some suitable races for him leading into Cup Week in November, and the way he’s going there should be plenty more to come.

“It’s such a good pedigree and the stock of Savabeel just keep getting better with a bit of time.”

Ellis knows the family well, having purchased Miss Scandinavia as a yearling in Australia, and she won twice to 1600 metres. 

Miss Scandinavia has an exceptional pedigree. Her grand-dam Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice) was Champion 2YO & 3YO Filly in Australia, and winner of five Group One races including the Golden Slipper (1200m) and VRC Oaks (2500m). Her progeny sold for $500,000, $750,000, and $900,000, as indication of her quality.

Miss Scandinavia has also produced a two-year-old filly by Noverre (Savabeel), a yearling filly by Sword Of State (Snitzel), and due to foal to Hello Youmzain (Kodiac). 

Hakkinen was Pieter Van Rooyen.

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz