Aurora Belle delivers milestone win for Hayes
Unbeaten New Zealand-bred mare Aurora Belle (NZ) (Belardo) gave JD Hayes a career milestone to savour when she maintained her perfect record with a commanding victory at Geelong on Wednesday.
The four-year-old daughter of Belardo made it four wins from as many starts with an impressive front-running performance under Ethan Brown in the BM70 Handicap (1300m), providing Hayes with his 1000th training success.
Hayes only learned of the milestone moments after speaking with Racing.com’s Nigel Carmody following the race.
“That was my 1000th winner, so I won’t forget that race,” he said.
Aurora Belle has made a seamless transition to Australian racing since joining the Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and JD Hayes, having won both of her New Zealand starts for Pukekohe trainers Conor and Sarah Fahy.
She made an immediate impression on Australian debut at Ballarat three weeks ago, winning a BM66 Handicap (1200m) by two and a half lengths, and was similarly authoritative when stepping up in grade and distance at Geelong.
Brown again made use of the mare’s natural speed, with Aurora Belle controlling proceedings from the front before completing another comfortable success.
“She has a very high cruising speed and terrific gate speed,” Hayes said.
“She really didn’t give them much hope and she won with her ears pricked on the line. We’re really happy with that.”
While Aurora Belle’s unbeaten record suggests she could make her presence felt in stronger company, Hayes said the stable would take its time deciding when to test her at stakes level.
“She’s very raw so we’ll just see how she pulls up and let the races come to us. We’ve still got a nice, low benchmark,” he said.
“It’s nice to have a horse of this quality, and good to be winning in these (Punt Road Syndications) colours.”
Purchased privately after her two victories at Te Rapa, Aurora Belle races in the silks of Punt Road Syndications, founded by recently retired Richmond premiership player Nathan Broad and prominent owner John O’Neill.
O’Neill credited his son-in-law Jay with identifying Aurora Belle in New Zealand, with her gate speed and turn of foot catching his eye before JD Hayes helped put the purchase together.
A group of loyal owners subsequently joined the ownership, with O’Neill delighted by their success.
“We’re enjoying a great racing time with JD and the boys, and with Ciaron as well with the colours, so it’s really good,” O’Neill said.
