Windsor Park Stud’s first season sire Circus Maximus is on the board in the southern hemisphere with his first Australian runner a winner at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
Ha'penny Hatch stated an easing favourite after three barrier trials suggesting well above average talent and after being sent to the front pulled out plenty when challenged.
Ridden by Damien Thornton, the Paul Shailer trained filly defeated Ready For Zion (Better Than Ready) by ¾ of a length with Estee Emm (American Pharoah) third.
“She didn’t look too pretty in the first two furlongs,” said Shailer.
“I thought she might be vulnerable late but she was too tough.
“It was good to see her run a strong six furlongs out at her first time at the races.
“She’s a cheap filly and she’s going to win a lot more than we paid for her.”
Ha'penny Hatch was a $33,000 purchase for Shailer Racing Pty Ltd / Hughes Bloodstock from the Wentwood Grange draft at NZB Karaka Book 1.
She is the second foal of Group II Wellington Guineas winner Emily Margaret, a daughter of Pins out of New Zealand’s top rated filly in 2009, Seven Schillings.
Circus Maximus, twice a Group I winner at Royal Ascot among three Group I wins, and Champion miler by Galileo, has stood four seasons at New Zealand's Windsor Park Stud.
Along with Ha'penny Hatch in Australia, he has had two runners in NZ for a placegetter and in the northern hemisphere sired four winners in his first season including the Group I placed Green Storm.
