Dazzling Debut for Winning Rupert Filly

Tara Madgwick - Friday January 8

She might have been easy in the market, but exciting Winning Rupert filly Hi Hi Hi gave nothing else a chance when leading all the way for a thoroughly impressive debut victory at Canterbury on Friday evening.

Trained by Gary Portelli and ridden by Kathy O’Hara, Hi Hi Hi was placed in two recent trials and looked a natural runner when spearing straight to the front from an outside gate.

She travelled smoothly in the lead and skipped away to win the 1200m maiden by three and a half lengths with ears pricked.

“She’s a lovely filly,” said O’Hara, who also rode Hi Hi Hi in her previous trials.

“Gary has always had a big opinion of her, although I think she’ll be a better three year-old than two year-old.

“She was just miles too good for them tonight.”

Bred by Victorian based Chesapeake Thoroughbreds, Hi Hi Hi was bought for $145,000 from the Princess Park draft at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale by Hall of Fame Bloodstock and is the first winner for Cottesmor, a placed half-sister by Duporth to Group II winner Lonhspresso.

Sadly, Cottesmor died last year and Hi Hi Hi was her second and final living foal.

Winning Rupert is the sire of Hi Hi Hi.

Hi Hi Hi is the second winner for Newgate Farm’s promising young Written Tycoon stallion Winning Rupert, who has 17 entries for Magic Millions, click to see them.

Advertisment

Race Result - Stud & Stable Staff Awards Mdn 1200m

Canterbury Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:11.78

1

Hi Hi Hi

- 2f Winning Rupert (AUS) x Cottesmore (AUS) (Duporth (AUS))

Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 56

2

3.5

Larkspur Run

- 2f Shamardal (USA) x Aspen (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))

Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56

3

3.7

Contentedly

- 2f More Than Ready (USA) x Tale Of Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))

Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Tim Clark 55.5

4

5.0

Wilsons Prom

- 2c Xtravagant (NZ) x Emphatically (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))

Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Tommy Berry 58

5

5.3

Honeycreeper

- 2f Teofilo (IRE) x Painted Firetail (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))

Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J R Collett 56

6

6.1

Colour De Roy

- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Kaitlin Cove (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))

Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J Parr 58

7

6.3

Festival Dancer

- 2f Choisir (AUS) x Festival Princess (IRE) (Barathea (IRE))

Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: K S Latham 56

8

6.5

Ruinart

- 2f Hallowed Crown (AUS) x Tempt Me Not (AUS) (Strategic Maneuver (AUS))

Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: Rachel King 56

9

6.7

All Machiavellian

- 2g All Too Hard (AUS) x Miss Canny (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))

Tnr: G D Hickman Rdr: Ms J Taylor 58

10

6.8

Bil Colyns

- 2c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Theatre Fan (USA) (Theatrical (IRE))

Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Tom Sherry 56

11

11.8

Dethroned

- 2g Foxwedge (AUS) x Defrock (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))

Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Regan Bayliss 58

More Reading...

Well Written Hot Favourite and Ideal Gate for Karaka Million 3YO

No-one amongst rival connections was prepared to say it out loud, but it was quite obvious their challenge became even more daunting when unbeaten filly Well Written drew perfectly at three for Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).

Change of Luck For Baker As So You Think Gelding Shows Potential

Off the back of a few days that trainer Bjorn Baker would like to forget after the his two runners were withdrawn from the lucrative Magic Millions 2YO Classic, So You Think gelding Castagnola impressed on the Randwick Kensington track, breaking his maiden at just his second start.

Favourites Fare Well in Karaka Millions 2YO Barrier Draw

The stage is set for a trans-Tasman showdown in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Wednesday morning’s barrier draw strengthening the claims of some of the biggest players.

Sires With Winners - Tuesday January 20

Here is the full list of 8 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Facts and Figures: $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO

Group One performance is a recurring theme in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), which will be run for the ninth time at Ellerslie this Saturday.

Two State Double for Hello Youmzain

With the Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale set to kick off this Sunday, the Cambridge Stud bred and sold filly Fast ‘n’ Inzaine rang up a double for her sire Hello Youmzain (Fr) when breaking the ice at Sandown on Wednesday and she has a half-sister to be offered next Monday.

Victoria’s WorkCover Reform Delivers Measurable Improvements for Trainers

Victorian trainers are seeing clear improvements in how WorkCover claims are managed and injuries are handled, following the introduction of a targeted initiative driven by Racing Victoria (RV) and the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) - one that could now be viewed as a national blueprint for industry-led reform.

Opportunity Knocks - Adelaide to Deliver Again in 2026

One of the Southern Hemisphere's most regarded and best producing auctions is ready to deliver more life changing moments this March with the online release of a quality catalogue for 2026.

Sires With Winners - Monday January 19

Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Century Club – Who Has Hit 100?

With so much attention on yearling sales at present, Magic Millions last week and Karaka starting on Sunday, the sire lists have been allowed to quietly tick along unwatched and three stallions have joined the century club and now share the top spot.