Spring racing is well and truly underway on both sides of the Tasman and three Haunui graduates certainly provided plenty to cheer about over the weekend in both New Zealand and Australia.
New Zealand racing’s focus was firmly set on Riccarton this weekend with the opening day of New Zealand Cup Week featuring the G1 2000 Guineas. The first of New Zealand’s Classic’s, Haunui was represented by Field Of Gold (AUS) (Starspangledbanner).
Offered at Karaka 2020, Field of Gold was subsequently passed in and retained by his breeders, Matt Goodson and Dianna Perron. Racing in their colours, he signalled his obvious talent with victories in his first two starts this season. His first stakes assignment resulted in a runner-up performance in the G3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) and on Saturday, he was a strong finishing third in the 2000 Guineas having been held up in traffic for much of the run home.
At Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup Week, Haunui graduates Crosshaven (AUS) (Smart Missile) and Our Intrigue (NZ) (Showcasing) added to their stakes tallies, both going down by a nose in their respective assignments, the G3 Chatham Stakes (1400m) and the G2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m).
Mark Chitty, Haunui Farm’s Managing Director says, “Weekend racing is fantastic at this time of the year and to have our graduates performing on those elite race days is certainly very pleasing and provides plenty of excitement in front of the tele on a Saturday afternoon given we can’t go to the races at the moment.
“Field Of Gold’s result is quite satisfying given he was passed in at the yearling sales. I am so pleased for his breeders and owners, Matt Goodson and Dianna Perron as it’s always disappointing when that happens but, they believed in the product that they bred and had the confidence to race him themselves and that decision has certainly paid off.
“We’ve had eight stakes performers so far this season, all of them have been during lockdown, so it certainly helps to break the monotony and we’re looking forward to being able to get back to the track to enjoy Summer racing and hopefully, more results like this.”
