Hypnos mesmerises his opposition in Uncle Remus Stakes feature
Race-fitness proved a key role in the final outcome of the first black-type feature at Ellerslie yesterday when promising three-year-old Hypnos downed race-favourite Dawn Patrol in the Listed Shaw’s Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m).
Trainer Frank Ritchie had warned Dawn Patrol could be found wanting over the final stages of the contest given he was going into the race freshup following his gallant run for second in the group one New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last month.
That scenario played out to the letter as Dawn Patrol looked the likely winner at the 150m mark before Hypnos produced a strong finishing burst to dash past the favourite, before cruising to the line under a hands and heels ride by Ryan Elliot.
Co-trainer Roger James was delighted with the result as he prepares the Reliable Man gelding for long-time stable supporters, Ron and Fran Dixon.
“It’s wonderful to train another good horse for Ron and Fran,” James said. “They were my first owners and the first people I bought a yearling for, and that is a long time ago.
“They have stuck with me through thick and thin. We won a Derby on Boxing Day with Hades, an Eight Carat on Boxing Day with Hera and we’ve backed it up with another stakes race on Boxing Day, so we’ve had a lot of good times together and I think we can have more with this horse.”
James, who prepares his charge with training partner Robert Wellwood, indicated Hypnos was likely to be seen next in the group one Levin Classic (1600m) on January 12 at Trentham.
He also has one eye on a return to Ellerslie for the group one Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 2.
Jockey Ryan Elliot was taken by the effort of his charge on a tricky Heavy 10 surface. “It is quite puggy out there and I think the fittest horse in the race won,” Elliot said.
“I was lucky enough that Dawn Patrol kicked away and I was able to follow him through the same spot,” Elliot said.
Bought by James for $50,000 out of the Westbury Stud draft at the 2017 Select Sale at Karaka, Hypnos was posting his second victory at just his sixth career start.
A full brother to Hypnos will be offered by Westbury Stud as Lot 872 during the Book 2 session at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale Series at Karaka on January 31. ● Smart racemare Indecision gave her rivals weight and a comprehensive beating when she led all the way to win the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie.
The Per Incanto five-year-old was the clear topweight in the day’s sprint feature, carrying 60kgs in the sevenhorse-field, 4kgs more than her nearest rival. Also burdened with the outside barrier for the contest, Indecision made light work of the situation to win by more than two lengths.
Trainer Tony Pike was full of admiration for his charge, who has now won six of her 22 career starts.