Talented filly Rohesia broke through for her maiden victory at Geelong, providing a nostalgic moment for racing fans as she carried the famous silks once worn by champion Dulcify and belonging to Betty Hayes, the matriarch of the Lindsay Park dynasty.
The three-year-old, trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, proved too strong over 1200m, scoring by three-quarters of a length. The win also marked the second Victorian success this week for her sire Hanseatic, following Humble Trader’s debut victory at Sandown on Wednesday.
Rohesia had already shown promise as a juvenile, finishing runner-up to Within The Law in the $500,000 Inglis Banner at Flemington before running sixth in the $1 million VOBIS Showdown at Caulfield in March. Purchased for $150,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from Rosemont Stud, she races in the colours of an all-female syndicate.
“She’s been a fantastic horse for them, albeit she hasn’t won (before today),” co-trainer Ben Hayes said. “She picked up the $200,000 Inglis Pink Bonus in the spring and then ran a great race in the Showdown. She’s always had little niggling injury issues, so it was so nice to get her maiden out of the way today so she can pick up focus and it’s onwards and upwards now.”
The victory was also the first leg of a Geelong double for Lindsay Park, who later celebrated success with Godolphin’s Kermadec gelding Saxon Spot in a thrilling finish.
