David Hayes and Zac Purton combined to win the Class Three sprint at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with lightly raced five year-old Magnus gelding Harmony N Blessed breaking the course record for 1000m.
Harmony N Blessed raced clear to win by two and a quarter lengths clocking 55.98s to lower Dancing Fighter’s 1000m mark of 56.09s.
The victory also propelled the son of Magnus to equal joint leadership in the HK$1 million DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, the lucrative series involving Class 3 races or above at Happy Valley until 23 February, 2022.
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“Just being able to let him roll, he really enjoyed it. He let down really nice. He’s always shown he’s been talented, but he beats himself more times than not. He just wants to fight the riders all of the time,” said Zac Purton.
Hayes was elated after posting a double to match that of his sons Ben and JD at Flemington Racecourse earlier on Wednesday.
“It’s been a big day with the boys training a double at Flemington (in Melbourne) today and now this tonight,” Hayes beamed, reflecting on Harmony N Blessed’s effort set a new record.
“It’s always nice to have one (a record) in the back of the book,” the dual Hong Kong champion handler said. “He looked very promising last year, but he was just a bit immature – consistent but immature. This year he’s stronger, he’s eating better and I think we’ve got a very good Happy Valley horse.”
With three wins and three placings from nine starts, Harmony N Blessed was a $60,000 Inglis Premier Book 2 purchase from the Rushton Park draft for John Foote Bloodstock.
Bred by David Brideoake in partnership, he is the best of four winners from Fly to Win, a metro winning full sister to Group III winner Haste Ye Back.
Magnus stands this spring at Widden Stud Victoria at fee of $15,400.
