First emergency Happy Hannah has gained a start in the Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill today following the scratching of favourite Jameka.
Jameka, above, has been scratched from the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Robert Smerdon trained Chabaud was also withdrawn, allowing second emergency Lonely Orphan to take her place in the field.
Jameka was coming off a third to Tarzino in the last week’s Group 1 $600,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill and to avoid backing the filly up week to week, trainer Ciaron Maher is now likely to target the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick next Saturday with the Crown Oaks winning filly.
The scratching of Jameka has made the way clear for the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Happy Hannah to be tested against the top class fillies following her two recent restricted class wins.
Happy Hannah broke through for her maiden win over 1600m at Hawkesbury on February 25 and then looked good in winning a 1600m BenchMark 67 Handicap at the mid-week Warwick Farm meeting on March 9.
But the quality of fillies she will face in the Vinery Stud Stakes is far greater than her previous opposition but co-trainer Peter Snowden is keen to test her against them.
“She is very much untapped and there is lot more to come with her,” Peter Snowden said.
“It might be a little bit too quick too soon (the Vinery Stud) but you don’t want to stop a young horse on the way up.”
Happy Hannah is on the second line of betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at $5.50 behind Vinery Stud Stakes favourite Risque at $3.30.
Market order for the Vinery Stud Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.30 Risque, $5.50 Happy Hannah, $8.50 Stay With Me, $9.50 Capella, $11 Valley Girl, Asinara, $16 Honesta, Single Gaze, $18 Believe $21 Ambience, $31 Sailing By, $41 Heartlings, Lonely Orphan, $61 Self Esteem.
