Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted March 8 Journalists Share Posted March 8 Hasseltoff ridden by Jamie Kah winning at Flemington when under the care of Phillip Stokes. (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Hasseltoff enhanced his Alice Springs Cup hopes with yet another convincing win at Pioneer Park on Saturday. The Dick Leech-trained eight-year-old gelding proved too classy for Terry Gillett’s stablemates Vinnie’s Spirit and Great Buy when he saluted in an open 1600m handicap by 5.8 lengths. That followed a comfortable win on debut in the Red Centre when he prevailed by two lengths in a BM66 over 1600m on February 22. Formerly linked with Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes, Hasseltoff is the horse to beat in the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on April 6 after also breaking the track record on Saturday. Starting as a prohibitive $1.55 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, he clocked 1.32.68 to eclipse the previous mark of 1.32.83 set by Gillett’s That’s Justified in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) during the 2021 Alice Springs Cup Carnival. Sitting off the pace in the five-horse field, Hasseltoff made ground on Vinnie’s Spirit and Great Buy approaching the home turn when two lengths adrift in third place passing the 500m. With Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc aboard, the former SA galloper gobbled up the joint leaders with 350m to go once straightening for home before charging away in emphatic style. Second-placed Vinnie’s Spirit, a $4.40 hope, ridden by apprentice Dakota Gillett and third-placed Great Buy, a $3.50 prospect, partnered by Stan Tsaikos were both last start winners, but were no match for Hasseltoff. After a first up win in Alice Springs with 61kg on his back, Hasseltoff dropped 4.5kg on Saturday and considering he brought good form to the NT it’s no surprise he has hit the ground running. From November-January, the son of Toorak Toff had two wins at Morphettville and a win at Gawler. Hasseltoff won at Flemington as a four-year-old over 1700m and has raced over 2000m and beyond on four occasions in a career that includes 52 starts for nine wins and 16 minor placings. The Alice Springs Cup Carnival starts next Sunday with the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) and although it’s unlikely Hasseltoff will feature there’s no doubt he’ll contest the Chief Minister’s Cup at weight-for-age on March 29. There’s also the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) in Darwin next Saturday followed by an open 1900m handicap in Alice Springs on March 22, but at this stage Hasseltoff should start the Alice Springs Cup a clear favourite. In what is shaping as an open NT Guineas (1600m) on March 22, Viney’s Grinzinger Lass – starting at $8.50 with Dabble – finished strongly along the rails to overcome fellow three-year-olds over 1400m on Saturday with Queensland jockey Brendon Newport in the saddle. Le Blanc ended the day with a winning double aboard Lamprecht’s Down The Wicket ($8.50) in a BM54 over 1100m, while Viney had two wins when Sonja Logan guided Isolyfe ($6.50) home over 1400m at 0-58 level. Horse racing news View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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