Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Studying and admiring the form of Joanne’s A Delight prompted astute trainer Mike Reed to recommend prominent West Australian owner Jim Giumelli to purchase her second foal Hoppys Way in New Zealand in March 2020.
It was a wise decision by Giumelli to buy the Art Major colt, who is emerging as a contender for the $200,000 WA Derby on November 4.
Hoppys Way took his record to 23 starts for eight wins, four placings and stakes of $68,666 when Shannon Suvaljko drove him to victory in the 2536m Allwood Stud Devoted To Breeding Excellence at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He was a $12.60 chance from out wide at barrier eight when Suvaljko dashed him forward, four wide in the early stages, in an unsuccessful bid for the lead. With the polemarker and $2.50 favourite Whataretheodds setting the pace, Suvaljko eased Hoppys Way back to race in sixth position.
Machs Bettor ($3.70) raced in the breeze in the middle stages before taking the lead 250m from home. Hoppys Way was sixth at the 300m before he sprinted home strongly to get to the front 100m from the post on the way to beating Machs Bettor by a half-length, rating 1.59.1.
“We had decided to come out and attempt to lead with Hoppys Way,” said Reed. “And then if he couldn’t get to the front, the plan was to find a gap. The gap came, which was good.
“The 2536m suits Hoppys Way; he just keeps whacking away, and he is a genuine Derby hope if he draws favourably. We are planning to contest the Battle Of Bunbury on Wednesday as part of his lead-up to the Derby.
“After the Battle Of Bunbury, he will probably have a little freshen-up. He has a very good heart rate which is never over 85. He touches a knee which is his only problem. He wears a one-legged spreader and Neville Brindley does a good job with his shoeing.
“We chose Hoppys Way in New Zealand because his mother (Joannes A Delight) was a smart performer.”
Joannes Delight raced 21 times for five wins, eight placings and stakes of $198,146. She was a star two-year-old in 2014 when her wins included the Group 1 Sires Stakes at Alexandra Park and a Group 3 feature event. She also was placed in two other Group 1 events.