David Hayes’ Absolute Awakened wins at Sha Tin
With Hong Kong’s new season just two weeks in, it wasn’t long before the progeny of Ardrossan stepped into the winners’ circle and at the second Sha Tin race meeting of the season, it was David Hayes’ Absolute Awakened who won by a length over 1400m.
A $130,000 yearling at the 2022 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, consigned by Prima Park and bought by Tartan Meadow Bloodstock, he is the fourth living foal of his dam Miss Rule.
Ardrossan strikes at 61.5% winners-to-runners in Hong Kong. For context, other leading sires’ strike rates in the competitive jurisdiction are: Deep Field (55.2%), Toronado (49.2%) and All Too Hard (50%).
Ardrossan is having to prove himself the hard way, but with bigger books coming through and a shareholder group steadfast on backing him, his star has already risen and is shining brighter with every race meeting. He stands this season for $20,000 plus GST (live foal guarantee).
The Corner with Garry Chittick
Well, I got a bit behind last week, with Friday slipping by without realising it; hence no Corner. I have said on too many occasions that negative messages are of no help to anyone, and yet there seems so often a reason to be concerned. Clearly, this week the well-constructed Guerin Report on the threatened downgrade of our Group 1 races demands our attention.
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Vale Ohope Wins, Ocean Park’s tough, kind and courageous daughter
Long before her Oaks double, Ohope Wins’ greatest victory belonged to the Waikato Stud staff and Matamata Veterinary Services vets who saved her as a desperately sick foal. Taken far too soon at Caulfield, her remarkable story is theirs too.
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