Bevan Sweeney: Who stood out at Hastings
Bevan Sweeney • September 10th, 2024 2:31 PM

Watching from the stands on Saturday, Bevan Sweeney gives us his four horses to watch following the
Race 4: Who Knows
I think blind Freddy would have spotted her being very unlucky on Saturday. She was snagged back early, which was the trainer’s instructions as he did not want her getting up and over-racing as she has in the past, from there she needed luck.
It did not eventuate until too late for Lily and she ran a brilliant 34.66 for her last 600m even with the stop start nature of her trip.
I have no doubt she is an Open class mare in the making and can win a high end staying race this summer.
Race 7: Damask Rose
Follow this horse very closely as she may have the most upside of any of the 3yo’s on display Saturday.
After running brilliantly in the Karaka Million at just start number two, fresh-up on Saturday she confirmed her undoubted ability.
She was taken back from a wide draw and ran home very powerfully to run the quickest last 600m of the race in 33.17.
She looks perfectly suited to the eye to step to 1400m-1600m and her pedigree strongly suggests maybe even further. She is lightly raced but what she has done to this point is very encouraging.
Race 6: The Entertainer
Trained by Bill Thurlow, this mare was competitive in Black type at Trentham as a 3yo before being out aside. She trialed up well before a run that you can forgive on a very wet track at New Plymouth.
On Saturday she was allowed to drift back to last after being well away and then had to wait on a clear run in the straight which never really eventuated.
Her sectionals were strong, and further distance will only be her friend. She
is clearly in my mind better than a 65-grade galloper.
is clearly in my mind better than a 65-grade galloper.
Race 8: Marotiri Molly
She is a bit of a heart-breaker as her manners really let her down at times but the ability is certainty there.
She has caused Matt Dixon a fair few headaches over an extended period, but she is not far away from a winning turn.
She missed away on Saturday so could not have won but she charged up the inside before being held up late in the quickest last 600m/400m of the race.
She will test your nerves but is a much better mare than her overall record.
Photo details:
Damask Rose after his win at Taranaki last year.
Photo: Race Images NZ