Speed in the breed – Remembering Lento through Onedarknight

Welcome into our Speed in the breed article. A look into the successful families represented at the trials and workouts.

If you look in the sales catalogue or those that find fame out on the track in the feature races you’re likely to find that many of the champions of today come from great families of the past. Here we touch on that habit of success – how the great families continue to leave the very best.

As a little bit of a change this week as the trials and workout action heads to Addington on Monday with some full fields presented – as always we look through those that are in possession on some royal bloodlines here.

Hoof If Hagrid (Andover Hall – Miss Lovalot) First in the book and the first we’ll have a look into here. This Bagrie trained runner does have plenty of breeding about him. Dam Miss Lovalot was unraced but has left the impressive 6-time winner Harold Smith (Andover Hall) as her first foal with Kawhi (2 wins) also being a full brother, further back in the damline is the mother to the 9-time winner Lotalov (Love You) in Swyncombe. It’s a family that knows how to trot and do so at a speed that’s enabled them to win races at regular intervals.

Hoof It Hagrid in action in a learners trot in January.

Louie Massimo (Vincent – La Fenice) Appearing out of the Nathan and Mark Purdon stable is this juvenile by Vincent. Louie Massimo was sighted in early 2024 running 4^th behind Midnight Miki and Woodlea Rocks and will look to improve towards racing proper with this Monday hit-out at Addington. Dam La Fenice was unplaced from limited starts on Australian soil but has met with great success as a broodmare, leaving the 11-time winner Aldo Rossi (American Ideal) as her first foal and also mothering the impressive 11-time winner in Semiramide (Mach Three).

Louie Massimo runs 4^th in this qualifying action on February.  

Hadleymae (Father Patrick – Renezmae) The first foal out of the Breeders Crown victor in Renezmae, Hadleymae will line up in the 3^rd of the day at Addington. The Harrington trained daughter of Father Patrick worked home soundly behind Viva La Vida and Habibti Pat last week- rivals that once again appear in the same heat again this week.

Hadleymae chases home Viva La Vida last week

Onedarknight (Bettor’s Delight – Luna Danza) Onedarknight provides echoes of the champion mare Lento, the grandam having carved out a fantastic record on the track during the 1990’s, notably capturing NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes titles in 1995 and 1996. As a mother Lento excelled, her progeny including another champion mare in Whanau, her 10 victories including the winning the Nevelle R Fillies Series Final of 2002 when beating out Angela Jane and Oaxaca Lass.

Luna Danza proved to be the last foal out of Lento, she was unraced but the exploits of her second foal Mister Smartee, a son of Always B Miki who has currently won 9 of his 11 race day starts, means Onedarknight certainly has plenty to live up to.

Onedarknight has the bloodlines to be something rather special.

by Harnesslink Media