A thrilling victory for ghostly grey Hula Beat (NZ) (Redwood) in Saturday’s feature race at Te Rapa, the Callinan Family Taumarunui RSA Gold Cup (2200m), has provided trainer Stephen Marsh with a much-desired goal that he set himself at the start of the 2023-24 racing season.
His stable topped $5 million in stakes won for the first time in his training career to date, a massive achievement in its own right, however Marsh had made no secret of his desire to hit the three-figure mark in wins for the third season in a row.
With runners at both Otaki and Te Rapa on the day it took until the sixth event on the Te Rapa card for Marsh to strike and it was a close-run thing as Hula Beat held out race favourite Diamond Jak (NZ) (Jakkalberry) by just a head with last year’s winner Enchanted Elle (NZ) (Jakkalberry) close up in third.
Superbly handled by apprentice Ace Lawson-Carroll, who was having his first ride aboard the five-year-old gelding, Hula Beat settled well back in the early running before making ground between runners approaching the home turn.
Lawson-Carroll squeezed him expertly between runners at the 300m and he shot to the front before holding out the late run by Diamond Jak to claim his fifth career victory.
Marsh was all smiles as he described the atmosphere during the race from a large group of his friends and supporters who had gathered at Te Rapa with him.
“We have had a few people here on course and in the box with us and it’s fair to say it erupted a bit,” Marsh said.
“It does mean a lot as it was going to be a tough battle and I’m rapt for the team and everyone involved.
“It’s just nice to go out with this for the year as I would hate to end on 99 wins.
“This horse has been going really well and we wanted him to go back (in the running) which he did.
“It was a beautiful ride by Ace, and I said to him just get his breathing right and he did. I was worried he would get squeezed out of a gap, but he rode a beautiful race, a mature race.
“I’m not one for going the early crow and Allan Sharrock went twice and said we were home, so I nearly jumped in his arms after the race.
“It was actually a bit tighter than I thought but the place erupted after the decision which is just great.”
Marsh was unsure of where he would take the son of Redwood next although he was certain the promising stayer could improve further.
“I will get today over and done with, but he has had a brilliant campaign,” he said.
“He got a bit crook early doors but has come back well.
“He loves the wetter tracks, and he loves Te Rapa and going left-handed although he has won going right-handed at Te Aroha, so we will just keep him going through (the grades).”
Bred and raced by Gerry Harvey under his New Zealand Thoroughbred Holdings banner, Hula Beat is the last foal of unraced Zabeel mare Limbea (NZ).
His granddam Dancing Hula (NZ) (Three Legs) is a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Love Dance (NZ) (Kaapstad) while he is also closely related to Gr.1 Railway Handicap (1200m) placegetter Tip The Wink (NZ) (Stravinsky).
The victory took his career record to five wins from 23 starts and over $112,000 in prizemoney.