Hasabro boosts Group prospects

Hasabro gave all his Riccarton rivals weight and a beating this afternoon to further boost his prospects for next month’s G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.

Bred by Waikato Stud with leading Sydney trainer John O’Shea’s wife Isabelle, the well-related son of Savabeel produced a flawless dress rehearsal for the November 10 feature, for which he now is the $8 third favourite.

Hasabro was formerly prepared by Stephen McKee and when he announced he was stepping away from training, the 6-year-old was transferred south to Andrew Carston’s stable.

He was a first-up winner from his new quarters before a fourth placing and he had no trouble shouldering 60kg today. Rider Jason Laking had him purring along in the trail and proved superior in the run home.

Hasabro was a $220,000 Karaka purchase for Go Racing, who also raced his G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas-winning sister Hasahalo.

They are out of the Encosta De Lago mare Halloween, who is from the family of Savabeel’s Group-winning sons Savvy Nature and Addictive Nature.