3 minute read

Wexford Stables look to have another exciting youngster on their hands following Hankee Alpha’s impressive debut victory in the Donaghys Uddermax 1200 at Te Aroha on Wednesday.

The three-year-old daughter of Proisir was fair away from the gates and settled at the rear of the field for jockey Lynsey Satherley, who gave her an economical trip along the rail.

Satherley continued to take the shortest path home with her filly and made up significant ground on her rivals when rounding the final bend and Hankee Alpha soon found herself in the lead. She continued her momentum and built a healthy advantage, eventually running out a comfortable 6-1/2 length victor over Adelante.

Purchased for $35,000 by bloodstock agents Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman out of Highline Thoroughbreds' 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft, Hankee Alpha was entrusted to the care of Matamata trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who have taken a patient approach with her education.

She had six trials for the Wexford team, who have long held a high opinion of the filly, which was realised in her dominant debut performance.

"We have been on a wee journey of educating her and the team has done a really good job at home of keeping her settled in," Scott said.

"We said to Lynsey today to let her get into a rhythm and get her breathing because we know she has got really quick feet. When she goes, she can really let down.

"She has got a good future in front of her and in any ground she quickens well. We have got high hopes for her."

Scott was full of praise for Satherley post-race, and said she was the perfect rider to continue her education on raceday.

"She is a really good horsewoman and a good horse rider," he said. "It took a bit of a ride today on this filly because she is not the easiest and we just wanted to make sure we had steady hands on her, teach her and give her a good confidence building experience.

"She will take any amount of improvement out of today."

Satherley was rapt with the result and believes a bright future is instore for Hankee Alpha.

"I am very lucky to be on her," she said. "It was a super effort, she is a lovely filly that is really well mannered and did everything I asked. To go out and do it like that is pretty cool.