Hartley lands long-priced bets at Belmont

Friday, 12 September 2014 - Geisel Park graduate Hartley’s Hope landed some long-priced wagers when an all-the-way winner at Belmont on Wednesday.

The Lindsey Smith trained gelding had failed first-up on a Slow 6 track last month and appreciated the better going in the Westspeed 3YO Hcp (1200m).

“We’ve nominated him a couple of times but scratched when the tracks came up wet,” Smith said. “I’ve had a good opinion of him and so has Paul (Harvey). He’s been coming down and riding the horse for the last few weeks.”

Hartley’s Hope (3g Due Sasso - Bring It Home Babe by Tribu) was specked from $41 into $21 and kept kicking in the straight to score by over a length. He is raced by Bernie and Erin Stephens and carries their distinctive white silks with multi coloured willy-wagtails.

Geisel Park bred and sold him for $15,000 at the 2013 Perth Magic Millions. “Bernie’s a good bloke and a good client,” Smith added. “And he’s always good for some wine after a win.”

Stephens ooperates the Hartley Estate boutique winery in the Chittering Valley and there was vino all-round when Smith trained Hartley’s Dream to a dozen victories a decade ago.

Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg has a Flying Pegasus yearling half-brother Hartley’s Hope. Their dam is a winning half-sister to Perth stakes winners Homesville Lass (Higginsville) and Zanella (Ihtiram).