Just days after New Zealand wonder mare Adore Me became the fastest harness racing performer in the Southern Hemisphere with her 1:47.7 triumph, Hazels Girl has broken an Australian record.
Making her racing debut for prominent trainer Robert Xerri, Hazels Girl lowered the national two-year-old fillies’ mark at Tabcorp Park Menangle yesterday.
Leading throughout from barrier three, Hazels Girl covered the mile in 1:54.5, with quarters of 28.6, 29.9, 28.2 and 27.8 seconds.
The debutante’s time sliced a tenth of a second off the previous mark shared by Read About Lexy and Alabama Shakes.
Read About Lexy stopped the clock in 1:54.6 at Menangle on July 12 2014, with Alabama Shakes matching the record at the same venue last month.
Lettucerockthem is the quickest freshman thanks to his 1:52.1 at Menangle on April 28, 2013.
Excited by the youngster’s prospect, Xerri described Hazels Girl as a “serious filly”.
“There is a lot to like about this one,” Xerri declared. “She has so much speed and a bit of stamina to go with it.
“I knew she was ready to run a big race, but you don’t go out there expecting to break records.
“At this stage of her preparation she is actually better with a sit as she can be a bit touchy in the mouth, but she did well.
“She’s a serious fill and once she learns how to race I’m tipping she will be a lot better.”
By Art Major, Hazels Girl is from former Group One winning filly, Miss Hazel, which won 15 of her 29 starts, with eight placings also to her credit.
Miss Hazel’s best time of 1:57 was registered at Moonee Valley in May 2008.
Miss Hazel is from broodmare gem My Ami Lee, the dam of three Group One winners including Renaissance Man and Louvre.
As for Miss Hazel, Xerri has aimed her at the Bathurst Tiara, followed by the Australian Pacing Gold, New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge and Australasian Breeders’ Crown.
“Bathurst is next then we will look at the other major races,” Xerri said. “You can’t go in everything so she won’t do much between the various heats and Finals.
“Even then that’s another 10 or so races before the end of the season.
“I’ve got a big opinion of her, so I want to look after her, not cook her.”
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PAUL COURTS