Quality filly Hungry Heart broke through for a deserved Group One success when she stormed home to win Saturday’s A$500 000 Gr1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill.
In an all Magic Millions finish, Hungry Heart rattled home, relishing the 2000 metres under Kerrin McEvoy to beat the gallant favourite Harmony Rose.
The success for Hungry Heart was a deserved one for the Yulong owned Frankel filly, who has been pitted against the best right from the start of her career.
Hungry Heart was sent out the A$5.50 equal second favourite on the strength of an impressive last start win against the boys in the Gr2 Phar Lap Stakes.
“She had a lot of ground to make up in the straight,” winning trainer Chris Waller said. “The last 100 (metres) she really fought hard and got there quite well.”
“We backed ourselves going for the Phar Lap (Stakes) thinking she might get some confidence back.”
“I cannot explain how much it does for horses, jockeys or people – no matter what sport you’re in, or even everyday life, what confidence does. The win last start was a great help.”
“To me today, that last 100 metres she could have easily run second, but she really put her head out, tried her guts out and got there.”
Waller said “winning form is good form” and admitted to having not spent too much time thinking about the Australian Oaks but that was now a prime option.
“I never gave it much thought. I wanted to tick the Group One box but I will give it serious consideration now,” Waller added.
“She’s a bit more seasoned this time in,” winning rider Kerrin McEvoy said. “Chris and the team have been really happy with her.”
“She is a slow beginner and I was worried I was too far back given the way it (the track) is unfolding. But credit to her, I had to wheel out and make my own way into it and that’s exactly what she did.”
Hungry Heart was a A$300,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock Agency in 2019. She is a successful graduate for the Zhang family’s Yulong operation.
Yulong offered Harlech, carrying today’s Group One winner, at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast but she failed to reach her $540,000 reserve.
One of 60 individual stakes winners by former world champion racehorse Frankel, Hungry Heart is the first named foal for her dam Harlech.
A daughter of Pivotal, Harlech is a once raced half sister to international group winner Maamora.
Hungry Heart’s second dam is the Newbury stakes winner Zoowraa (Azamour).
Winner: Hungry Heart
- Breeding: Frankel-Harlech (Pivotal)
- Race: ATC Vinery Stud Stakes G1 (2000m)
- Breeder: Yu Long Investments
- Sold for: $300,000
- Sale: 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
- Vendor: Yulong
- Buyer: Belmont Bloodstock Agency
- Earnings: A$848,200
- Owner(s): Mrs Y Zhang
- Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill)
