Hankering for a Derby

Watching Peter Moody inspecting a yearling is a time consuming experience. Moody is never in a rush when he finds something he likes.

The big man, rarely without a cigarette out of the side of his mouth, watches from all angles; he likes to see the yearlings walk, a lot, and sometimes he just parks against a rail, occasionally studying the catalogue, but usually studying the horse.

He has a good eye, and that eye found Hanks, the impressive 3YO gelding who is unbeaten in two starts and shaping as a Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) prospect.

Hanks (b g 2006, Encosta De Lago–Sister Fromseattle (USA), by Seattle Slew (USA)) was sold as a yearling for NZ$150,000 on Moody’s bid at the 2008 NZB Karaka Premier Yearling Sale, from the Curraghmore Stud draft.

The colt was one of a batch of yearlings sent across the Tasman by Coolmore Stud, specifically for the New Zealand sale. It’s not hard to understand Coolmore’s thinking, because Hanks, a big, raw, stretchy horse would have been a square peg in a round hole at either the Magic Millions or Inglis Easter Sale.

Hanks has a wonderful pedigree. His dam is a half-sister to leading sire Dehere (Deputy Minister-Sister Dot, by Secretariat), but Hanks has none of the precocious speed of the family. When he won at Sandown on Wednesday, he came hard, wide out, with long, loping strides to win easily. He looks every bit a stayer, and Moody has high hopes for him.