Herman Hesse (GB) rounded out a red-letter day for Ciaron Maher at Mornington on Sunday when winning the feature Listed RM Ansett Classic (2400m).
Completing a 4-timer for the leading stable, the son of Frankel enjoyed a perfect stalking run under Declan Bates. Before the home turn, he was still on the bridle, levelling to the tiring leaders Golden Crusader (FRA) and Sir Lucan (IRL).
At his ninth stakes attempt, Herman Hesse (GB) safely held fellow 8-year-old gelding Hit The Road Jack (Jakkalberry) by a length, with Commando Drift (Complacent) a length and a quarter back in third.
A 75,000gns purchase for Australian Bloodstock / Ronald Rauscher / Ciaron Maher Racing from the 2020 Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, Herman Hesse (GB) advances his record to seven wins, three seconds, and nine thirds from 40 starts with earnings of $524,052.
“He was strong late, and after the line, I could not pull him up,” Declan Bates said.
&
;ldq
uo;We landed in a good spot. After beginning OK, he took a little time to organise himself. I did not want to snag him back, so I let the race unfold, and he was nice and relaxed. ”When the leaders began to tire, I did not want to hang around, so I let him stride. He was ready for this trip and maintained the gallop to the line. A good, strong win.”
Bred by Lady Bamford, Herman Hesse is a brother to the Group 1 Epsom Oaks heroine Soul Sister and the Group III Saint-Cloud Prix Thomas Bryon winner Dreamflight.
His dam Dream Peace (Dansili) won the Group II Deauville Prix de la Nonette and was 5-time Group 1 placed.
Dream Peace is a three-quarter sister to the former Coolmore shuttler, Catcher In The Rye (Danehill).
Herman Hesse is the 150th black-type winner for Juddmonte Farm’s unbeaten champion Frankel.
