Hellbent has had a good season with his juveniles siring Group III winner Zip Lock and $1million ATC Golden Gift winner Revengeance as well as two more stakes performers and he added a fifth 2YO winner to his tally at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when Helldeeva saluted.
Trained by Peter Snowden and ridden by Tom Sherry, Helldeeva was first up from a spell after two unplaced runs back in February that included the Listed ATC Lonhro Plate.
Stepping out on a heavy track for the first time in the 11100m fillies maiden, Helldeeva attracted some late support at odds from punters and their faith proved justified.
The widest runner after turning for home, Helldeeva kept lengthening all the way to the line for Tom Sherry to win by half a length over race favourite Krasina.
“It's been a little disappointing because she's always shown us a fair bit at home, but the two races last time, she drew badly both times and got back and was just plain,” said Peter Snowden.
“I thought to myself, she’s better than that, so I tipped her out and she developed quite a bit.
“It's good to see her do that today, because we always thought that sort of ability was in her.”
Tom Sherry was well pleased with her attitude and believes there is more to come for Helldeeva.
“Her trials were always really good and then she didn't have a whole lot of luck on the first two starts,” he said.
“We employed winkers on her today and she had a lovely run behind the favourite and what I did like was the more I asked of her, the more she gave.”
Helldeeva was a $130,000 Inglis Classic Yearling purchase from Yarraman Park for Snowden Racing and is a three-quarter sister to stakes-placed Embassy being the third winner from four foals to race from stakes-winner Dendee.
Yarraman Park sold an I Am Invincible filly from Dendee at Inglis Classic this year for $260,000 to Bennett Racing and the mare is now in foal to Home Affairs after missing the previous year.
Hellbent is enjoying his best ever season and clocked up his 100th seasonal winner last weekend with his progeny earnings topping $12million to put him in the Top 10 Australian Sires by earnings.
Standing along side his champion sire I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park, Hellbent has been given a fee increase this spring to $55,000.
