Hawea stunning in fillies’ feature
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.
