Former Independent Stallions shuttler Hat Trick opened his Australian account with Mrs Hadlee at Warrnambool on Thursday.  The Mike Moroney trained filly won the Royal Hotel Maiden Plate (1200m) in a tight finish from Chicago Chick (God’s Own) and The Unexpected (Artie Schiller).

Mrs Hadlee (3f Hat Trick – Nesnas by Danewin) was a game fourth first up at Geelong last month and found plenty in the run home after sitting outside the leader.  “She toughed it out really well,” said jockey Jason Lyon.  “There was a bit of pressure on her in the first half and again at the turn so it was a good, tough win.”

The attractive grey filly is raced by Moroney in partnership with Lynn Cole, Christopher Dziedzic and the Ark Syndicate.  A $42,500 buy at the 2011 Inglis Classic Sale, she is a half-sister to city winner Cantakitwithya.

Hat Trick (Sunday Silence) was a G1 winner in Japan and Hong Kong.  He set a Japanese record of 1:32.10s in the 2005 Kyoto Mile Championship and then beat the world’s best in the Hong Kong Mile.

Independent Stallions studmaster Mike Becker shuttled Hat Trick in 2008 but wasn’t knocked down in the rush.  He served just 36 mares at a $16,500 service fee and the horse was re-routed to South America the following year.

It wasn’t the first time Becker’s better judgement was ignored by local breeders.  Mr. Greeley shuttled to Independent Stallions in 1996 and sired G1 VATC Oakleigh Plate winner Miss Kournikova from a small book of 26 mares.  He didn’t return either but went on to be one of the all-time greats at Gainesway Farm.

Distorted Humor shuttled to Becker’s Victorian property in 2000 and was given short-shrift out here.  He got G1 winning filly Rinky Dink in that one-off book and has since sired over 100 stakes winners from his home base at WinStar Farm.

Hat Trick gives every indication he will also carve out a successful career in Kentucky.  His first crop included 2011 French Horse of the Year Dabirsim and only last week his USA based colt King David won the G1 Jamaica Hcp at Belmont Park.

Hat Trick (Jpn) is the only son of Sunday Silence available to Kentucky breeders.  He started stud life at Walmac Farm before relocating earlier this year after Gainesway Farm secured a significant interest in the 11 year-old.

– Karl Patterson

HAT TRICK