Hauraki tackles the world’s best at Rosehill

Hauraki will go to the gates to attempt a miracle in Saturday’s G1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill.

A gallant and talented G1 winner in his own right, Hauraki is one of eight very good horses who will try to stop the champion mare Winx from winning her 16th successive race and her 11th G1.

No-one really expects any of them to succeed, but the contest to see who gets closest to, arguably, the world’s best racehorse, will be keen.

In that quest, Hauraki has done better than most, having four times been placed behind Winx and running her to a length-and-a-quarter when second in in the G1 George Main Stakes last September.

For trainer John O’Shea and jockey William Buick, the realistic hope is that Hauraki can do something similar in the Ryder.

“The Ryder is as good a weight-for-age race as we’ve seen in Australia for some time,” O’Shea said.

“You’ve got the best horse in the world, the former best sprinter in the world (Chautauqua), the quality of the Melbourne horses who are multiple Group One winners and our own horse Hauraki who’s in great form.”

Hauraki resumed racing two weeks ago when a fine third to Le Romain and Chautauqua in the G1 Canterbury Stakes and is on track for his main autumn mission, the G1 Doncaster Handicap at Randwick next month.

“I think the Doncaster winner will probably run in Saturday’s race, and if Hauraki can run top three it gives him a wonderful opportunity to go on because he’s so adept at Randwick at a mile,” O’Shea said.

Hauraki also gives Buick a chance to get first-hand experience of Winx, and he’s not dismissing the possibility of an upset. 

“Hauraki’s in at the deep end, but he’s a very classy horse, he’s thriving and a lot can happen on the day,” he said.