Humza Bey retains unbeaten record
Despite negotiating the final bend at Wanganui on Saturday like a drunken sailor, promising galloper Humza Bey (NZ) (Belardo) made it two wins from his first two starts as he scored an impressive victory in the third race on the card, the Whanganui Chronicle 1340 (1340m).
Rider Kate Hercock had her hands full as the four-year-old gelding made a beeline for the centre of the track after sitting third and one-off the inside rail for the last 800m of the contest, which allowed his nearest pursuers to sneak through along his inner.
The Joshua Lavelle and Sacha Rennie-prepared son of Belardo is made of stern stuff though and after throwing away the advantage he held over his pursuers, he more than made up for it by powering away to win by a clear length from Lady Performer (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Monologue (NZ) (Contributer).
Successful on debut at Hawera earlier in the month, where he defeated Amazing Son (NZ) (Belardo) who had earlier taken out the first race on the card, Humza Bey has continued to impress Lavelle and Rennie who co-own him alongside his co-breeder Christine Juett.
Lavelle was concerned about his charge taking the step from a maiden win to the rating 65 grade due to his immaturity and was all smiles after that barrier was overcome despite the home turn wobbles.
“That was awesome, as he dug deep at the end there,” Lavelle said.
“A big thank you to Kate as he is very very green and we were a bit worried as last time at Hawera he did a bit wrong when he hit clear air and today she rode him a treat.
“Hopefully he will learn a lot from that.”
Hercock was impressed with how her mount finished things off especially after being trapped wide before she managed to head forward early in the race.
“He was a little slow away but we went forward before coming around the home turn where he just didn’t want to steer,” she said.
“I just about had two hands on the inside rein as he is just young and immature, but once the penny drops he is going to be not a bad horse.
“He was three wide early on, had every chance to get beaten and just kept kicking.
Bred by Juett and Denise Howell, Humza Bey is out of the Elusive City mare Torba who is the granddaughter of Howell’s outstanding racemare La Bella Dama who won seven races, all at stakes level including the 2001 Gr.1 MacKinnon Stakes (2000m).
