Title revival by Reset

Reset is back on top of the Victorian sires’ table and he owes the revival to G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) winner Hauraki.

The Darley Victoria stallion lost top-spot last week after leading the table since the spring exploits of his grey galloper Fawkner.  Bel Esprit took over when Work The Line won the final race at Geelong last Sunday but it was short-lived.

Hauraki was a dominant winner of the $175,000 Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday handing back the lead to Reset ($3.82 million) over Bel Esprit ($3.75 million).  He was positioned midfield in the early stages and then burst through a gap to record a decisive win over Omeros (High Chaparral) and Merion (O’Reilly).

“He was pretty strong through the line today,” trainer John O’Shea said.  “We’ve always felt he was a Derby colt – we sent him to Melbourne along the way but it just didn’t quite work out.”

Bookmakers firmed Hauraki into a $4.80 third favourite for the $2 million Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick next Saturday.  He will be the fifth Group 1 winner for Reset following Pinker Pinker (W S Cox Plate), Fawkner (Caulfield Cup), Rebel Raider (Victoria Derby) and Set Square (VRC Oaks).

Just as importantly for Reset and Darley Victoria, it will jeopardize Bel Esprit’s long reign as the champion sire in Victoria.