Former Perth galloper Hazzabeel will head home to run in the Group 1 $1m Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on December 3 following his win in the Kilmore Cup.
Trainer Ciaron Maher, above, will send Hazzabeel to Perth to run in the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Hazzabeel did the majority of his racing in Perth and was able to win six times for trainer Daniel Morton before being transferred to Caulfield trainer Cairon Maher half way during this year year.
At his second run for the Maher stable Hazzabeel was able to win the Listed $130,000 Kilmore Cup (1600m) at Kilmore on November 20 and book a spot on the plane back to Perth.
“I think he’ll get on a flight to WA on Friday, and we’ll have a look at the Kingstown Town,” Maher told racing.com.
“A lot of his connections and owners are from Western Australia so we’ll head over there and see if we can’t put another win on the board.”
This time last year saw Hazzabeel earn a start in the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium-Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot after winning the Group 3 $150,000 David Grays Aglink-R.J. Peters Stakes (1500m) at Ascot.
Hazzabeel was sent out as one of the favourites for the Railway Stakes at $7.50 and finished a respectable fifth, two and three quarter lengths from the winner Good Project.
The Zabeel gelding was then sent around in the Kingston Town Classic and after leading faded to finish well back in fifteenth position behind Perfect Refection
“This time last year, he was very good in the Railway Stakes,” Maher said.
“He’s been out of form since, but obviously bounced back in the Kilmore Cup.
Hazzabeel has been included the Kingston Town Classic market order at $18 with last year’s winner Perfect Reflection heading the betting at $4.60.
Perfect Reflection was sent to Melbourne Cup winning trainer Darren Weir in Victoria to be prepared for the 2016 Melbourne Autumn Carnival which resulted in a third to Don’t Doubt Mamma in the Group 3 $150,000 The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 20 followed by a last of fifteen to Palentino in the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 5.
Owner Bob Peters then returned the More Than Ready mare to Perth trainers Grant and Alana Williams who have resurrected her career back on her home track.
Perfection Reflection resumed for a third in the Group 3 $150,000 Northerly Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on October 15 followed by a win in the Group 2 $250,000 Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 5.
Perfect Reflection was then sent out as one of the top fancies for the Railway Stakes last Saturday before running on strongly to finish third behind Scales Of Justice and Good Project.
Early market order for the Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Perfect Reflection, $5.50 Scales Of Justice, $7 Kawi, Mackintosh, $9 Good Project, $13 Samovare, Tradesman, $15 Stratum Star, Vanbrugh.
