The first running of the Chittick Family Fillies Classic (1100m) at stakes level was justified when Matamata filly Hawea (Hellbent) put away a classy field in stunning fashion.

The Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained filly was resuming off two trials in the $100,000 feature, starting at $15 in a market favouring Miss Janet and Latoya. In an even line at the jump, it was Phillyjean who dashed out to take the early lead while Hawea settled out the back under jockey Wiremu Pinn. 

Still a clear last turning for home, Pinn angled Hawea to the outside of the track and she began to go through her gears, rocketing past her rivals to catch a game Phillyjean and win by a length, with a further length-and-a-half back to Latoya. 

Pinn was suitably impressed with the filly, who he had ridden at the second of her two trials. 

“Richie said to ride her neutral, I was happy when I saw Back Of The Bus in front of me as I knew she would give me a nice cart into the race,” he said. “I didn’t expect her to quicken like she did, it did surprise me, but to her credit, she’s a lovely filly going forward. 

“She’s one of those fillies that doesn’t really like getting told what to do, but you’ve just got to be nice to her. She’s shown today that she’s got a lot of ability there, it’s just putting it together. 

“I thought it was a very dominant win.”

A daughter of Hellbent, Hawea mixed it with the best of New Zealand’s two-year-olds last season, finishing third to subsequent Group One winner Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) before heading to the paddock. 

It was revealed post-race by a thrilled Richardson that the filly had her share of barrier issues, and he credited respected horseman and trainer Mark Brooks with fixing those problems. 

“It was amazing to watch, she came from last and has beaten a good field, it’s a big thrill,” he said. “She is a very good filly that has had a few problems. 

“Mark Brooks fixed her in the gates, she was stood down and we couldn’t get her in at one stage. I think she got a fright in the Breeders’ Stakes, so she’s been with Mark and I thank him very much for that. 

“He’s got her right and we’ve always had a lot of time for her.”

This race has unveiled several topline fillies in recent years, including the likes of Alabama Lass and Quintessa, and Richardson’s own Lollapalooza was second last year before going on to place in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). 

Her co-trainers are dreaming of similar heights for Hawea, who has shortened into $10 in the market for the Christchurch feature in November. 

“I have two fillies and they both go very, very well,” Richardson said. “She’s not a horse that needs a lot of work, she’s pretty clean winded. She’ll go forward and maybe end up in Christchurch.

“She’ll go to the Gold Trail (Gr.3, 1200m) and head to the usual fillies races.” 

Out of the Lonhro mare Idlewild, Hawea is half sister to five-time winner Idyllic and stakes performer Romilly, the latter also trained by Richardson and Norvall. The stable went to $300,000 to purchase her out of Wentwood Grange’s draft at Karaka in 2025. - Jess de Lautour LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Well Written impresses in Taupo trial win

Star mare Well Written (Written Tycoon) pleased trainer Stephen Marsh with a strong performance to win her second trial this preparation over 1100m at Taupo on Sunday.

The returning four-year-old had been given a quiet outing when stepping out at Cambridge earlier this month and had a more strenuous trial under Matt Cartwright at Taupo.

“I thought it was really good,” Marsh said. “She had a nice quiet trial at Cambridge, which was perfect and just brought her along nicely.

“I said to Matt today from the wide draw to just tuck her in behind them. I thought he put her in a beautiful spot and I just wanted to see her come off the bridle and do a little bit today.

“He got her into the right part of the track and I thought it was really good. I was certainly all smiles afterwards. I got a little bit nervy and jittery beforehand, but it was really nice to see her back like that.”

Well Written stretched out strongly in the closing stages to score by two lengths from Twain and Wolfgang, with Marsh particularly pleased by the way she finished her work.

“For the rain they have had, the track was in decent order and she got first use of it, but get her back to Ellerslie and she is better again,” he said.

“I just loved the way she stretched out and ended up winning by two lengths. Cartwright was a row of teeth when he came in as well, so we’re very happy with her .”

Marsh has the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) penciled in for Well Written, with the Ellerslie feature on September 5.

“It gives her three weeks. Whether we take her to Ellerslie or take her somewhere else to have a little gallop, I think we are right on track,” he said. - NZ Racing Desk

Andy’s peak Win in historic Grand National victory

For only the third time in nearly a century, the Australian Grand National Hurdle and Steeplechase double has been completed as the Shane Jackson-trained Andy Win (NZ) (Almanzor) strode to victory by 12-lengths in the 2026 version of the feature over fences at Ballarat.

The jumping scene is certainly different compared to when Mosstrooper completed the same feat in 1930 at Flemington but the emotion around the achievement is just the same for participants especially when overcoming what could have been a disastrous injury for Andy Win ($3.30 favourite) in the days prior.

"I'm not an emotional sort of person but it has been a rollercoaster with this horse and it has been a stressful week," Jackson said.

"I can tell people now that this horse schooled here on Monday when it was waterlogged and on Tuesday evening he'd come out with a bloody foot abscess.

"I thought, 'I can't tell anybody about this and I can't tell jockey, for sure'.

"Thankfully I have a great farrier in Ballarat and my brilliant vets in Warrnambool. I'm lost for words. This is peak."

Prior to 2008, the Hurdle and Steeplechase features were run a week apart but the fortnight between the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown on August 2 and this test over 4600-metres put Andy Win's achievement alongside Tallyho Twinkletoe's same successes in 2019.

Significantly, Andy Win won his maiden over jumps as recently as last May.

Jockey Tom Ryan notched his second Grand National Steeplechase win since 2011.

"I wouldn't want to know, to be honest," Ryan said when told of the horse's injury prior.

"He was a bit flat over the third last fence but when I got stuck into him, he came alive."

Earlier on the card, Ryan steered short-priced favourite The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) to snatch a last gap win in the JJ Houlihan Hurdle after second elect chance led by as more than 20-lengths with a lap to go in the 3250m three-horse affair.

"Horses like Andy Win and The Cunning Fox, they're just warriors," Ryan added. - NZ Racing Desk

Hayes likes what he sees in Mr Brightside's trial

Mr Brightside’s (NZ) (Bullbars) co-trainer Ben Hayes predicted the returning veteran would present as a winning chance in his comeback race in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) in a fortnight after turning in a sharp trial at Caulfield on Saturday morning.

Mr Brightside, who has not run at all this year due to a fetlock issue, finished second in a special 1000-metre trial held before the opening race on P.B. Lawrence Stakes Day to confirm his return date of August 29.

“Very happy,” Hayes said after the import Yellow Jersey nosed Mr Brightside out in the six-horse trial.

“He missed the autumn, so today he was here to have a nice hitout. He flew the gates, got to the front and had his ears pricked for a bit and went to the line quite nicely. He got caught on the line, but it was a trial.

“The most important thing is he acted as he always does when he goes to the races.

“He was super quiet in the parade and had a good healthy blow there and still has to clean up a bit in the coat but that is what he always looks like when he has his first couple of runs and then his coat really comes on.”

Mr Brightside was caught on the line by the former French horse Yellow Jersey, while Giga Kick finished on strongly to finish third ahead of Tom Kitten. - Racing.com

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