Fan favourite in a classy display
Harlech finds the winners’ enclosure after a long absence
Fan favourite Harlech has finally found his way to the winners’ enclosure more than three-and-a-half years since his last victory, racing away for a satisfying victory in the Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton yesterday.
The 7-year-old son of Darci Brahma has been in many elite level battles over the years, with a number of placings in races such as the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and most recently runner-up in the Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), since winning the Benalla Cup (1406m) in October 2020.
Co-trainer Pam Gerard has never lost faith in her charge and echoed the sentiments of many after witnessing his return to winning form in spectacular fashion by running away from his rivals in the final stages.
“He deserves it, as he was very unlucky last start when finishing second off a slow pace,” Gerard said.
“I thought we were a little bit stuck at the top of the straight, but once we got out, he showed the confidence he has gained since being down here. He had gone up a lot in weight and it’s hard to carry that when you’re at the end of a long prep.
“He looked sensational, and to Sian and Hugh and all his other owners who have been so patient and trusted me to bring him down here, a big thank you.
“He’s one of the favourites at home and we thought he was coming to the end of his career but a trip down here [from Matamata] and some sun on his back means there is no better place than the South Island.”
Lisa Allpress cut a satisfied figure after the victory and was keen to remind people that her mount was a class animal.
“When I got around to the start, there were a couple of people there asking if he knew where the winning post was, as he has that sort of stigma around him,” she said.
“He’s been in every big race possible and run creditably, so the potential has always been there. He just kept on giving and wanted to be there and he’s very genuine.”
Raced by a large group including Dame Sian Elias and Hugh Fletcher, who Gerard acknowledged in her post race comments, Harlech is out of the former top race mare Obsession, who won the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and also finished third in the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) during her career on the track.
He was purchased by cotrainer Mike Moroney’s brother Paul for $100,000 out of the Oaks Stud draft at Karaka in 2018 and has now won four races and secured more than $555,000 in prizemoney from his 39 career starts.