Hawkesbury, July 21 – A quiet Hawkesbury meeting on Sunday was highlighted by the impressive winning debut of a two year-old filly by champion sire Lonhro.
The David Vandyke stable has been in hot form of late and struck early in the day when Happy Friday overcame the outside gate in a field of 10 to win the 1000 metre maiden by a length and three-quarters.
Partnered by Kathy O’Hara, she was sent out favourite and won in the manner of a filly with plenty of upside.
Foaled and raised at Yarraman Park for her breeders, the filly was withdrawn from the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and retained to race, a decision that may well prove a wise one.
Happy Friday is the first winner for metropolitan winner Dantains Quest, a half-sister by Quest for Fame (GB) to the dam of HK stakes-winner Down Town from the family of former brilliant juvenile Rainbeam, champion sire Centaine and Group I winners Laisserfaire and Lone Rock.
The Lonhro x Quest for Fame cross has been a good one producing 24 winners from 31 runners (77.4% winner to runner), two of them stakes-winners in Scarf and Serenissima.
