Brix (NZ) Caps Harvey’s Big Week

The Karaka sale ring played a key part in a special week for young Cambridge horseman Glen Harvey, which culminated with a stakes win by Brix (NZ) (Sweynesse) at Pukekohe on Saturday. 

A few days earlier, Harvey pulled off a pinhooking triumph at the Ready to Run Sale – earning $230,000 for Lot 120, a Reliable Man gelding he had previously bought for $5,100 off Gavelhouse.com. On Saturday it was all about Brix, Harvey’s $45,000 purchase from Book 2, who won the $50,000 Listed FastTrack Insurance 2YO Stakes (1100m).

It was the first black-type win for Harvey, who is still in the first full year of his training career. He also shares in the ownership of the Listed-winning filly.

“This is a pretty special feeling,” he said. “I’m thrilled for a lot of first-time owners who are involved with this filly, including Mr Caro, who is on course today. He’s 91 and finds it hard to go to race meetings, but he’s here today, and this is his first ever winner.

“He’s got the trophy and it’s an awesome feeling to be able to do that for him.”

Brix had finished fourth in two of her three previous appearances prior to Saturday’s Listed heroics. In her other start, she lost her footing leaving the starting gates at Avondale and dislodged her rider.

Saturday was a huge step forward, finishing over the top of highly regarded rivals Quattro Quinta (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Beldarra (Hinchinbrook) and Cool Change (NZ) (Showcasing) to win by a short neck.

“Glen is doing a great job with these young horses at an early stage in his training career,” said winning jockey Samantha Collett.

“She was very brave today. She hopped a wee bit awkwardly but managed to recover from her good gate. I was searching for a run a little while out and I thought she was going to be unlucky. When she did get out, she really stuck her head out and had a will to win.”

Brix has now earned $28,700 in stakes in her four-start career, along with crucial black type.

“She was a filly I specced out of the sale ring at Karaka for $45,000,” Harvey said. “I just thought she looked like an out-and-out two-year-old.

“I also managed to buy a three-quarter-sister this week for Ben Kwok, who’s also a part-owner of Brix. I think he’s pretty happy with that purchase now. It’s been a good week.”

Vendor	Kilgravin Lodge
Purchaser	Glen Harvey Racing (Waikato)
Breeding	Sweynesse – Somethymesoon
Sale	Lot 880, Karaka 2020, $45,000
Bred by	Brimin Lodge, Mrs C J & P H Brown & J R Mugavin