Showing a Clean Pair of Hoofs


Emerging as a horse of great potential on Saturday was Pencarrow Stud-bred galloper Hasselhoof (Tavistock x Alpine), an impressive 11-length victor in the $17,500 Rob Harte Lawyer Supporting Ruakaka Charity Race Day 11 July 1600 at Ruakaka.

This was Hasselhoof's second raceday appearance, his first start was two weeks ago where he claimed a winning performance on his home track, winning by one-and-three-quarter-lengths, for trainer Donna Logan.

“It was a very, very freakish win,” commented Logan. “He oozes ability but he has got a lot to learn and a lot of strengthening up to do. He is an exciting prospect.

“There are plenty of races out there for a horse with his ability. We will see where he gets placed with the handicap but we don’t want to overdo it with him at this stage.”

Hasselhoof raced keenly in the early stages for New Zealand’s leading jockey Matthew Cameron but quickly drifted back to settle mid-field. He travelled one off the rail before improving on the turn for home, taking the widest berth.

At the top of the straight, race-favourite Hasselhoof made ground to catch the front-runners before he bounded to the lead and coasted to victory by an impressive 11 lengths over Aurora Lights (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who finished in second place, with Royal Sceptre (NZ) (Royal Gem) in third.

The Tavistock gelding’s race rivals were no competition as he ran the quickest mile at the track in the past twenty years, in a time of 1.34.46.

Bred by Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela, the three-year-old gelding is owned by Blair Alexander, Garry Cossey, Donna Logan and Est late Bill Woods after being purchased by Donna Logan for $14,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2013 Karaka Select Sale from Pencarrow Stud.

Hasselhoof is out of Zabeel mare Alpine and is a half-brother to stakes-winner Vercors (Catbird), winner of the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. His dam is a full-sister to Manawa King (Zabeel), runner-up in the Group 1 Sydney Cup, and is a half-sister to stakes-winner Lord Ted (Ballina), winner of the Group 1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Alpine foaled a colt by Rip Van Winkle in the 2014 breeding season.

Pencarrow Stud-bred and owned Makarska (Keeper x Stanica) won earlier in the day in the $20,000 A’Fare Caterers 1400, also claiming two wins in two weeks at Ruakaka.