Hauraki Bids For Hayes Prize

Time/Date - 15.55hrs local time/Saturday, February 21, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Flemington/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/7f

Hauraki races in Pattern company for the first time in the seven-furlong Group Three CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington, Australia, on Saturday, February 21.

The three-year-old colt, trained by John O'Shea and ridden by Chad Schofield, came home sixth after breaking slowly in a six and a half-furlong conditions race at Sandown-Hillside on February 7.

He gained a pair of victories over seven furlongs, comfortably taking a Randwick handicap on November 8 and readily winning a maiden at Kembla Grange on October 25.

John O'Shea said: "Hauraki has had a nice preparation but was a bit under-done going into his first start after a break at Sandown-Hillside and was just found out in the last 100 metres.

"He has galloped nicely since then and his fitness has improved. I think gate 10 is more advantageous for him, giving him the opportunity to get to the outside with clear running room.

"We know he is talented and I am sure he will acquit himself well here."

Hauraki faces 11 other three-year-olds including the unbeaten Lucky Liberty, Group One Tabtouch-Kingston Town Classic runner-up Disposition and Group Two Sportingbet Sandown Guineas second Stratum Star.