Hanoi Miss sustained a sprint the length of the straight to win at the first time of asking in the GWN7 Maiden (1300m) at Pinjarra last Thursday.

The Dan Morton-trained filly was spotting the leader Ofcourse She Has (War Chant) several lengths in the straight but was equal to the task extending right through the line to land a three-way photo-finish from the Universal Ruler pair Diamond Light and Dug Another Hole.

Hanoi Miss is a homebred by Darley sire Epaulette (Commands) for Forest View Farm owners Ben and Jo Duncan.  They bought her NZ-bred dam Saigon Tea for $100,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Million National Sale.  The mare was part of the Geoff Grimish Dispersal Sale and was purchased in conjunction with Rushton Park’s David and Kayley Johnston.

“What a super start to her racing career,” Forest View posted on Facebook.  “It was a great ride by Chris Parnham timing it perfectly.  Not bad for an orphan who lost her Mum as a young foal.”

Photo:  Ben Duncan with Dan Morton and Chris Parnham following the debut win by Hanoi Miss at Pinjarra / Western Racepix

Saigon Tea (Thorn Park) had won at Te Aroha and Tauranga when racing as Dreamy Jayda across the Tasman prior to a transfer to Chris Waller in Sydney where she won four races before bowing out with a Listed victory in the 2014 Christmas Cup, (2400m) at Randwick.

Second-dam Boulevardofdreams (Daggers Drawn) was the NZ Champion 3YO in 2004 after winning the G2 ARC Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie.

Saigon Tea had already foaled Randwick winner Saigon (I Am Invincible) before changing hands at the Gold Coast.  She was carrying Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) winner Quang Tri (Shalaa) who recouped almost all the dam’s purchase price when knocked down for $90,000 as part of the Rushton Park draft to the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

Being her dam’s final foal, the Duncans were always going to keep Hanoi Miss to maintain a link with that pedigree.