Workouts Begin at Hastings, Horses to Watch

We have been annoying trainers this week by asking them to nominate a horse they’re excited to see in action in 2024. Some of the names they have given us will be familiar to regular followers of Hastings, while some are less exposed horses who should probably go in your notebook.

The first three are below and more will appear in the weeks leading up to the new season.

1. VIVA LA DIVA, 3yo f by SUNGOLD – VINOTERA (FINALITY)
Trainer: Barbara Heads

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NOT a surprise that the Heads’ barn is excited to see the return of VIVA LA DIVA to racetrack action. The daughter of Sungold, who is a full-sister to former Century Casino Oaks heroine SANGRIA and last season’s dual Allowance winner VIVA LA VINO, made her racetrack debut in the Sadie Diamond Futurity Stakes, finishing third behind LIZZIE’S RAYNE and EDDIE’S GIRL. The Bennetts’ homebred then made most of the running to break her maiden at the second time of asking before returning to Stakes company to take third place behind BROKE MAGIC and LIZZIE’S RAYNE in the Glen Todd Fantasy Stakes.

Barbara Heads said: “We’re all excited to see VIVA LA DIVA again. She’s progressed physically over the winter after a very promising 2yo campaign.”

2. PETER FLIES, 4yo g by PRIVATE GOLD — IRENE FLIES (ROCKY BAR)
Trainer: Peter Milburn

Claimed out of Golden Gate in February, connections are impatient for the arrival of PETER FLIES at Hastings. Unraced as a juvenile, the Washington-bred son of PRIVATE GOLD (Seeking the Gold) has run only seven times in total so far and already has two victories to his name, the most recent coming just last month when leading all the way and justifying long odds-on favouritism to easily land a $12,500 claimer.

Peter Milburn said: “We’re already calling him Peter Pan and we’re can’t wait to see him in action at Hastings.”

3. DAZ LIN FORCE, 3yo f by COUNTERFORCE — DAZ LIN DAWN (POPULAR)
Trainer: Keith Pedersen.

DAZ LIN FORCE is the first foal out of former BC Horse of the Year DAZ LIN DAWN, and trainer Keith Pedersen is keen to see if his charge can confirm the promise shown on her two starts as a juvenile last season. She endured ‘trial by ordeal’ on her racecourse debut, having to cope with the likes of LIZZIE’S RAYNE in the CTHS Sales Stakes back in August. The daughter of leading BC sire COUNTERFORCE appeared just one more time, finishing fifth again, this time behind VIVA LA DIVA in an optional claiming contest, before being put away for the winter.

Keith Pedersen: “Being DAZ LIN DAWN’s first foal makes her a bit special and we’re obviously excited to see how she gets on this year after a couple of solid runs last season.”