A popular hometown win for New York Hurricane, who was the last horse standing in a brutally run Bet365 Kyneton Cup (2006m).
Given a peach of a ride by Harry Coffey, the Liam Howley-trained son of Manhattan Rain found his way clear of a zip fastener pocket to defeat the 9-year-old Carlton House gelding Too Close The Sun by one and three-quarter lengths, with the 6-year-old Tavistock gelding Mathew back in third.
The track record was lowered by three and a half seconds.
Bred by Murray Thoroughbreds, New York Hurricane advances his record to seven wins, eight seconds, and four thirds from 35 starts with earnings of $396,785.
“This is magic. He is a super horse that has been with us since the beginning,” Howley said.
“It’s a great ownership group that starts off as clients and became great friends.
“It’s been a journey. He was challenging as a young horse, who continued to mature and today you saw the best of him.
“Harry held his nerve and got out at the right time. This horse has a beautiful turn of foot developed through maturity.
“The hometown cup is very very important and the whole team is here.
“I said to the owners a long time ago that this horse would win the Kyneton Cup. Missing the Seymour Cup was the only hiccup, otherwise it has all gone to plan.”
A $70,000 buy for Liam Howley Racing from the Three Bridges Thoroughbreds draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, New York Hurricane is the best of two winners from as many to race for the French winning Elusive Quality (USA) mare Al Dhakira (USA) whose dam Serena's Joy (Forestry) is a half-sister to the dam of Zabeel Prince and Puissance De Lune (IRE).
Al Dhakira (USA) has not had a live foal in three years.
Manhattan Rain stands at Geisel Park Stud for $8,250.
