Hasahalo
Trish Dunell
Hasahalo is the sole maiden contesting Sunday's Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie, but if Auckland trainer Stephen McKee has his way, he won't be afterwards.
The Savabeel filly earned a start in the juvenile feature after charging home to almost deny the unbeaten Gift Of Power her third straight win in this month's Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Trentham.
"She finished off really well," McKee said. "She's been good so far and everything's gone right with her in the build up to this one, though she's come up with barrier six, which could be a bit awkward."
Hasahalo was thrust straight into stakes company on debut, but lost any chance at the start of the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes at Pukekohe after she was crowded and checked soon after the barriers opened, according to the stewards' report.
"She wiped herself out at the start the first time at the races, then skied her head after that and got it all wrong," McKee said.
"But we've always known she had the ability and she's just the type who could be a real chance in the Karaka Million if she can draw in close and get a nice run in behind them. We're really happy with her."
TAB bookmakers installed Hasahalo as the $5.50 fourth favourite for the Eclipse Stakes behind Gift Of Power at $3.30, Talaria at $3.70 and Princess Rihanna at $4.20.
McKee could yet have three runners in the Karaka Million with impressive Boxing Day winner Star Treasure now qualified and Bombard, beaten a short neck by Felton Road at Ellerslie on Thursday, an outside chance of joining the pair.
McKee will be looking to Hasahalo to continue his stable's successful New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival at Ellerslie, the highlight of which has been Consensus' win in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic.
"It's not before time. Let's hope it continues," McKee said. - NZ Racing Desk.
The Savabeel filly earned a start in the juvenile feature after charging home to almost deny the unbeaten Gift Of Power her third straight win in this month's Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Trentham.
"She finished off really well," McKee said. "She's been good so far and everything's gone right with her in the build up to this one, though she's come up with barrier six, which could be a bit awkward."
Hasahalo was thrust straight into stakes company on debut, but lost any chance at the start of the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes at Pukekohe after she was crowded and checked soon after the barriers opened, according to the stewards' report.
"She wiped herself out at the start the first time at the races, then skied her head after that and got it all wrong," McKee said.
"But we've always known she had the ability and she's just the type who could be a real chance in the Karaka Million if she can draw in close and get a nice run in behind them. We're really happy with her."
TAB bookmakers installed Hasahalo as the $5.50 fourth favourite for the Eclipse Stakes behind Gift Of Power at $3.30, Talaria at $3.70 and Princess Rihanna at $4.20.
McKee could yet have three runners in the Karaka Million with impressive Boxing Day winner Star Treasure now qualified and Bombard, beaten a short neck by Felton Road at Ellerslie on Thursday, an outside chance of joining the pair.
McKee will be looking to Hasahalo to continue his stable's successful New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival at Ellerslie, the highlight of which has been Consensus' win in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic.
"It's not before time. Let's hope it continues," McKee said. - NZ Racing Desk.