Proven flat performer Helena Baby continued his flawless transition to jumping with another easy victory in Thursday’s $30,000 The Bottle-O Te Aroha Hurdles (3100m).
The grey son of Guillotine boasts seven wins on the flat, headed by the 2019 and 2022 editions of the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m). He was also a multiple placegetter in Hong Kong and finished third behind Melody Belle and Wyndspelle in the 2019 running of the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m).
Trainer and part-owner John Bell gave the nine-year-old his first start over hurdles in a 3100m maiden race at Te Aroha on June 3, where he led all the way and scored a convincing victory by seven lengths.
Thursday marked a step up into open company but a very similar result. Rider Nick Downs drove Helena Baby to the lead and dominated the race from there, cruising to the finish line five and a half lengths ahead of Invisible Spirit.
“It was another impressive performance today and he’s showing quite a bit of class,” Bell said. “He’s a lovely jumper and does everything right. A big team effort has been put into him over quite a period of time, and what he’s doing now is reward for all of their hard work.”
Thursday’s win took Helena Baby’s career earnings to just under $320,000. The next step in his rise among New Zealand’s hurdling ranks is to move into Prestige Jumping Race company – potentially in the $75,000 Wellington Hurdle (3200m) at Trentham on July 13.
“Nick Downs seems to think we should head to Wellington now,” Bell said. “I haven’t looked that far ahead yet, so that’s something we’ll work out over the next few days.
“I thought my days of travelling much south of Taupo were behind me, but a horse like him might force me to reassess that.”
Bell will also be involved in Saturday’s jumping action at Hastings, where Ata Rangi will contest the Birchleigh Polo Club Maiden Hurdle (2500m). Curious George is entered for the Te Whangai Romneys Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) but will be scratched after finishing fourth behind Helena Baby on Thursday.
“Ata Rangi is going well and will head to Hawke’s Bay, where he should be competitive,” Bell said. “We’ll take Curious George out of the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle. He doesn’t like wet ground at all. He’s a beautiful jumper and ran well for fourth on an unsuitable heavy track today. We’ll work out a plan for him that hopefully involves some drier ground.”