Harlech too good at Matamata
There was plenty of hype surrounding Harlech heading into his raceday resumption at Matamata on Wednesday and the exciting three-year-old duly delivered, taking out the Waharoa Transport CO(1995) Ltd 1200.
The Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained gelding settled midfield for jockey Cameron Lammas before looming four-wide on the turn and easily accounted for his opposition in the home straight, winning by 1-1/2 lengths over Minnallines, with 1-1/4 lengths back to Striking in third.
Gerard admitted to being slightly anxious heading into Wednesday, but was calmed by Lammas’ confidence and was delighted with the result. “He’s a nice horse and he trialled up nicely,” she said. “I was a little bit worried, but Cameron was so confident this morning and said I had nothing to worry about. “He has been full of confidence the whole way through, it was a nice win.”
The victory marks an exciting season to date for Harlech’s sire Darci Brahma, with The Oaks Stud stallion also siring fellow three-year-old, and dual stakes winner, Catalyst. “Darci Brahma has just had an amazing season so far, he certainly did his job that year,” Gerard said. “I don’t know if he is a Catalyst, but we will be chasing him home.”
The duo are set on a collision path towards the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November with Harlech likely to target the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on Labour Day, prior to heading south. “He will come back here (Matamata) for the three-year-old 1400m (October 12) and then head to the Sarten and then fly to Christchurch, all going well,” Gerard said.