Kiwi 3YO Hursley (NZ) Steps Up

Lightly raced three-year-old Hursley (NZ) (Makfi) relished the step up to stakes company with a stylish victory in the A$150,000 Listed TCL Curved TV Stakes (1800m) at Flemington yesterday.

Hursley (NZ) wins the Listed TCL Curved TV Stakes.

The Melbourne Spring Carnival has been fruitful for New Zealand Bloodstock graduates with Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor) winning the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock) winning the Group 1 Victoria Derby and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup won by Prince of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire).

The Chris Waller trained Hursley, a graduate of the Karaka Premier Sale, also appreciated the step up in distance to 1800m despite the track being downgraded to a Heavy 8 after a deluge of rain hit Flemington, causing the races to be delayed.

After just one start as a juvenile, Hursely has returned this season as a three-year-old, winning two starts ago over 1600m on a Good 3 track followed by a third placing over 1580m just eight days ago, both in New South Wales.

“It was very impressive,” commented Racing Assistant Justine Hales. “He’s a fit horse having raced last week and ran home well. He just needed the extra distance.

“We gave him a start as a two-year-old and he got a bit lost, and it was a short distance that wasn’t suitable for him. We gave him time to furnish and he’s come on well. He looks like he’ll get further and further.”

Jumping from barrier 8 in the 15-horse field for jockey Qatar Bloodstock’s retained rider Craig Williams, Hursley settled behind mid-field. Improving between runners, he took a wide run on the home turn, quickly switching out for a clear run as the field straightened.

Hursley swept down the straight to take the lead in the final stages and coasted to victory by one-and-a-half-lengths over Sea Of Tranquility (Dash For Cash) with fellow Karaka graduate War Legend (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) finishing third.

The three-year-old colt has now won A$108,505 in prizemoney for owners Qatar Bloodstock Ltd, Gerry Harvey, Mr R Shrimpton, Mrs C Shrimpton and Mr MA Kinninmont.

David Redvers of Qatar Bloodstock purchased Hursley at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2014 Premier Sale for NZ$200,000 from Westbury Stud.

Bred by Gerry Harvey, the son of Makfi is out of Illuminates (Strategic), a winner of four stakes races and runner-up in the Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes.

Hursley is the sixth stakes winner for Makfi, standing at Westbury Stud. Hursely is from the oldest crop of Makfi, with the sire already producing Group 1 winner Marky Mark (NZ) from his first progeny to race.

Makfi has one horse catalogued in the upcoming NZB Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs at Karaka, Lot 110.

Hursley was the second New Zealand-bred horse the kiwi ex-pat trainer had success with yesterday after opening Flemington’s nine-race card with NZB National Weanling Sale graduate Yellen (NZ) (Pentire) winning over 1700m in the A$100,000 Red Rock Deli Plate.

The race featured a Karaka quinella with a graduate of NZB’s South Island Sale, Unfurl (NZ) (Raise the Flag), closing in for second place. Unfurl was purchased by John Foote Bloodstock and trainer Darren Weir for $40,000 – the same partnership that purchased Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Penzance.

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs is fast approaching, held on 18 and 19 November at Karaka. Catalogues can be requested from [email protected] or can be viewed on the NZB website.