New Zealand-bred three year-old Hard Press made it back-to-back wins when successful at Sandown on Wednesday over 1000m bringing a good pedigree update for his full brother headed to Karaka Book 1 in 2020.
It was just the third start for the Shamexpress colt who was lumbered with 60kg in Wednesday’s race.
“I just thought at 1000m they might be a bit sharp, but he surprised us and put himself there,” trainer Richard Laming said.
“He did a good job and had a big weight. He fought it out well and is going to improve a lot off that.
“There was a little bit of a rap on the second horse, so it was no easy assignment.
“Ben (Melham, jockey) was very confident and he only asked him to quicken in the last furlong, but he still did it very well.”
Laming is looking forward to the future with the Windsor Park Stud bred three-year-old who he said still has plenty of maturing to do.
“He is very quiet for a colt, he doesn’t even know he is one I think. He has got good mannerisms, he has got a lot to come yet. He is still immature and his coat hasn’t come out. There is plenty of upside, that is for sure.”
Hard Press was a $55,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Edinburgh Park draft for Laming Racing and is the first winner for his dam Hardassah, a daughter of champion sire Exceed and Excel.
Windsor Park Stud will offer the full brother to Hard Press as Lot 638 at Karaka Book 1.
