Haussmann scores stunning win in Windsor Park Stud 3YO
HAUSSMANN will next run in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas after scoring an emphatic victory in the Windsor Park Plate 3YO at Hastings on Saturday.
The son of Pour Moi hadn’t been seen since winning at Ellerslie in May, but the three-year-old made short work of its quality opposition fresh up and the Guineas on Spring Classic day is the likely target moving forward.
Haussmann was on the second line of betting at $3.90 and its experience on rain-affected tracks certainly told when it loomed up to them in the straight and cruised on by. The Hastings track has come under scrutiny for being too wet, but the connections of Haussmann weren’t complaining.
“It was a great return seeing he came in without a barrier trial,” trainer Tony Pike said. “I was a wee bit concerned fresh up on a heavy track, obviously he’s won at Ellerslie on a heavy track, but he got through the ground better than most.
“It was a good effort. He put a space on them late.”
Jockey Leith Innes summed the race up well and sat off the tempo set by Cousteau before shifting to the outside of runners and coming with a bang.
“He had it sown up a long way from home,” Innes said. “They went pretty hard. He relaxed nicely and won easily.”
Innes made comment on the track conditions, which were expected to be better on a premier day in Hawke’s Bay.
“The track is a genuine slow, I can’t really see it improving either,” added Innes, who is confident about his ride on ($4.20 with Sportsbet) Astor at 1:16pm.
“Astor is a pretty nice filly. She’s an on-speed runner which has drawn out a little bit, but hopefully she goes well.”
Haussmann will now likely be one of four Pike-trained runners in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas on Spring Classic day.
“I think we’ll seriously have to consider that, as long as he pulls up well there’s no reason why he won’t come back,” Pike said.
“If Haussman starts we’ll have four runners; Aim Smart, Bostonian, Felton Road and possibly Haussmann.
“It’s nice… it’s been a hard spring for everyone and it’s nice to have these two-year-olds coming through and performing in the early part of the season.”
Pike was also pleased with the performance of Sacred Rebel which at one stage was the race favourite.
“Rapt with his run,” he said. “We knew with the track that he’d struggle.
“If we can get him back on a good surface he’ll be tough to beat.”