Karaka Bargain Redwood Filly Wins Bonus

Media Release - Wednesday July 21

Trainer Wayne Hillis has been chasing the Pearl Series Bonus with his filly Half Of Nothing for the last three months, and they finally captured their prize at Avondale on Wednesday.

The daughter of Redwood has contested four previous NZB Pearl Series Races, for three placings, and she finally broke through for her maiden win with a determined run over 1200m on a Heavy11 surface.

Half Of Nothing winning at Avondale on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

After tardily away from the gates, Half Of Nothing settled towards the rear of the field for jockey Erin Leighton. Turning for home she was 10 lengths off leader Perfectionist, but Leighton kept a cool head and stayed on the rail where Half Of Nothing was able to storm home late to win by a long head over Bendermerry, with a further short neck back to She’s Dashing in third.

Advertisement

Hillis was delighted with the win and securing the $11,500 Pearl Series bonus for her connections.

“I am rapt with her run and it was good for the horse to get the bonus, we were chasing it,” he said.

“I was actually expecting her to be a bit handier, so turning for home I thought we weren’t much show, but she ran home well.

“She is the most seasoned one of the race, so when the others were starting to hit a brick wall, she kept coming.

“She has always been honest. She was weak early on, but she is just strengthening up now. She has kept on improving and learning and has put it all together now.”

Hillis was also pleased for Erin Leighton, who has been apprenticed to the Matamata horseman for the last three months.

“Erin has been flying,” Hillis said. “She has got a good work ethic and does it all herself really because she gets out and rides work for everyone. I have only got a small team so I can only give her so many rides.”

Hillis underwent a hip replacement a couple of months ago, but is now out and about, and was able to welcome back Half Of Nothing to the winner’s stall on Wednesday.

“I had a hip replacement 10 weeks ago today,” he said. “I have been riding work since the beginning of last week.

“In the last two or three years I have been in a lot of pain and as soon as it was done there was no pain at all. I am stoked.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Nzb Ins. Pearl Series Race Mdn 1200m

Avondale Track: Heavy(11) Time: 1:18.11
1
Half Of Nothing
- 3f Redwood (GB) x Borntobewild (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: W P Hillis Rdr: E M Leighton 53.5
2
0.2
Bendermerry
- 3f Perfectly Ready (AUS) x Molly Whoppy (NZ) (Beau Zam (NZ))
Tnr: D A Walker Rdr: S T Collett 56.5
3
0.4
She's Dashing
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Two Tones (NZ) (Captain Rio (GB))
Tnr: R C Lang Rdr: M J Mc Nab 56.5
4
3.2
Vegas Strip
- 3f Shocking (AUS) x Operavega (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: A C Goindasamy 55.5
5
4.5
Perfectionist
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Impurrfection (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: Y Kumagai 52.5
6
5.0
Every Show
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Okcoral (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ms M Saunders Rdr: T Yanagida 55.5
7
6.6
Muse
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Ballycahill (IRE) (Barathea (IRE))
Tnr: T C Wenn Rdr: E H Nicholas 53.5
8
11.0
Jaquolee
- 3f Highly Recommended (AUS) x When The Cats Away (NZ) (Felix The Cat (USA))
Tnr: Ms C Cameron Rdr: T L Newman 54.5
9
15.6
Flossyrosycandy
- 3f Iffraaj (GB) x Regal Thrills (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: S J McKee Rdr: S C Spratt 56.5
10
16.3
Keen As
- 3f Power (GB) x Katy Keen (NZ) (Zorro's Lad (AUS))
Tnr: R S Manning Rdr: D J Danis 56.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 19
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tavistock Mare Chasing G1
Last start Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Town Cryer has another Trentham feature in her sights, taking the next step towards the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at the Foxton trials on Tuesday.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Express Yourself Returns to NZ
Group One performer Express Yourself has returned home from her spring campaign in Melbourne and is now on a path towards the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
No Compromise Still Going Strong in NZ
Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday.