Talented three-year-old filly Dream Queen (NZ) (Super Easy) has provided her new owners with a quick return on investment.
The daughter of Super Easy, who only recently joined the Ben and JD Hayes stable from New Zealand, took out the Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Cox Plate day, coming with a well-timed run under Luke Nolen.
The flashy chestnut defeated Our Heidi (Needs Further) and New York Baby (Written Tycoon), putting her best foot forward after a plain effort when seventh at Mornington at her Australian debut.
Dream Queen advanced her career record to three wins from six starts, with a further two placings, but crucially enhanced her residual value with a stakes victory on one of Australia’s premier days of racing.
Originally prepared by Ruakaka trainers Ken Rae and Krystal Williams-Tuhoro, Dream Queen had raced with success through the latter part of her two-year-old season and was sold after a strong win on her home track in July.
“That was fantastic. She was a filly that we purchased from New Zealand from her race form and we’ve had a lot of success with New Zealand horses lately with Mr Brightside, Super Thief and now her,” Ben Hayes said.
“I thought it was a great ride by Luke. Big congratulations to all the staff at home. To get these rewards is really big for us.”
Nolen, who won the race on the great Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) a decade ago, felt there was plenty more to come from Dream Queen.
“On paper there was good speed and we were afforded a nice run. When she got to the front she was a bit like she worked here at The Valley on Tuesday. She was all at sea a bit,” he said.
“I think the penny dropped. I think they’re going to have some fun with this filly – it is all upside.
“She’s a stakes winner now and what she has been able to do while having a look around and doing a few things wrong and still win was very encouraging.”
Bred by Hallmark Stud, home to the filly’s sire Super Easy, Dream Queen was originally purchased by Rae on behalf of Northland owner Sue Martin off gavelhouse.com as a weanling for just $1500.
