Imported Irish mare Ha Ha Ha and French gelding Don Diego De Vega claim their maiden Australian wins in different but impressive style at Randwick.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Ha Ha Ha was the most spectacular winner at the meeting, zooming down the outside under Nash Rawiller to take out the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1600m).
Her win came after Don Diego De Vega, trained by Annabel Neasham, emerged victorious in a slugfest for the James Squire Handicap (1800m).
Both Bott and Neasham are convinced their imports will improve more as they get out in distance, suggesting their breakthrough Sydney wins might not be their last.
• Hong Kong calling for unbeaten Charming Legend
Certainly, Ha Ha Ha was a different mare to the one that flopped at Rosehill last start. She appreciated getting out to the Randwick mile and being ridden conservatively early by Rawiller, settling near the rear of the field.
Then in a move reminiscent of Rawiller’s famous winning ride on Think It Over in the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Rawiller then took Ha Ha Ha towards the outside fence and the mare unleashed her strong finishing burst.
Bott hinted that it wasn’t the plan to have Ha Ha Ha so far back in the field on settling down but praised Rawiller for his tactical genius.
This article contains features which are only available in the web versionTake me there
• Blinkers do the trick in Neasham’s Defining victory
“Nash is riding with so much confidence,” Bott said.
“He has a sniff of the premiership and that was Nash at his best. You have to allow him to his devices and let him get a feel for the race.
“Nash made the decision to take her back and I was worried how far back she got.
“But when she was wide with cover coming to the turn, she had the right horses taking her into the race.
“She got to them without having to do much work and was quite dominant late.”
• In Flight makes light work of big weight to extend winning run
Ha Ha Ha ($6.50) came from near last on the turn to swamp the Ciaron Maher-trained duo of Space Age ($4.20) and Nails Murphy ($3.60 favourite) and won by a widening one-and-a-half lengths.
Rawiller’s brace on Ha Ha Ha and Cranky Harry (TAB Highway) takes him to 79 wins and just four behind leader James McDonald with five city meetings remaining for the 2023-24 season.
“She is a little awkward to ride but Gai and Adrian had given her more work since her last start and she was much more relaxed today,” Rawiller said of Ha Ha Ha.
“I decided to go very wide on the turn because I didn’t want to be caught in the middle of the track where it is a bit sandy.
“I think she will take a lot of confidence from today’s win – she’s a nice mare.”
Bott said Ha Ha Ha’s best in Europe had been over 1600m and he was confident the mare would run an improved race at her third Australian start.
“She was impressive today and no doubt she can get further, particularly the way she settled today,” Bott said.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
DON DIEGO LEAVES HIS MARK WITH GUTSY RANDWICK VICTORY
“For the first time in your life I think you are glad the Frenchman was better than the Englishman!”
This was Sky Thoroughbred Central presenter Greg Radley’s humorous opening remark to trainer Annabel Neasham after Don Diego De Vega’s narrow win.
Don Diego De Vega is a former French galloper having his second Australian start since being secured by the Australian Bloodstock team of Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett.
The grey gelding had been stakes placed in France and his breakthrough Australian win came at the expense of the Peter Snowden-trained The Englishman.
• Nash gets Cranky ahead of Grafton mission
Neasham, who is from England herself, found herself agreeing with Radley while revealing her good opinion of the emerging Don Diego De Vega.
“I thought Don Diego De Vega was terrific late,” Neasham said.
“It looked like he might be coming to end of his run but he dug deep with 61g on his back.
“He had two weeks between runs after a long lay-off which was my only concern but he showed his quality to win.”
Don Diego De Vega ($2.40 favourite) conceded The Englishman 8.5kg but held off his rival to score by a long head with I’mintowin ($3) more than a length away third.
Neasham has had tremendous success with imported horses since starting her training career and has another promising stayer in Don Diego De Vega.
“He’s an exciting horse,” Neasham said. “He has good overseas form and was really well found by the Australian Bloodstock team.
“I’m sure he is only going to get better once we stretch him out in trip.
“I think he is a horse we will take through his grades although we have the luxury that he came over with a nice mark (rating).
“I’m sure the (Australian Bloodstock) boys would like a Newcastle Cup horse or something like that.”