Bell tolls for Hartley’s Spirit

Bellbridge Park stallion Hartley’s Spirit was represented by his first winner at Bunbury on Wednesday.  His filly Can’t Hartley Wait broke the ice with an on-pace victory in the Transpacific Cleanaway 2YO Maiden (1016m).

Can’t Hartley Wait (2f Hartley’s Spirit – Boutelle by Is it True) started a $2.70 second favourite after two trial wins at Lark Hill.  She is owned and trained by Karnup conditioner Ben Pearce.  His father Colin bought the winner for just $2,100 from Alwyn Park at the 2010 Perth Magic Millions April yearling sale.

Hartley’s Spirit (Danetime) is owned by popular racing identity Bernie Stephens and he also runs the Hartley Estate boutique winery in the Chittering Valley.  

The Bellbridge Park resident is a beautifully bred stallion.  He is a Sunspeed son of Danetime from Protos mare Prohurst making him a half-brother to stakes winners Paradise Park, La Sirenuse and Hartley’s Dream.  Prohurst has a 2yo colt named Hartley’s Hangover (Flying Spur) and she foaled a colt by Danehill Express last year.

Prohurst is a half sister to G1 Railway Stakes winner Machine Gun Tom and the dam of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Rogan Josh.

Bellbridge Park is owned by Michael and Siobhan Campbell and they stand Hartley’s Spirit for a $3,300 service fee.

Can’t Hartley Wait completed a winning week for Alwyn Park owner John Andrew.  He also sold outstanding Malaysian galloper Captain Obvious who won the Tunku Gold Cup in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.

Captain Obvious (Verglas) smashed the 1200m track record when clocking 1.08.34s to boost his record to 10 wins in 15 starts.  He was a $24,000 buy for trainer K L Chong from the Alwyn Park draft at the 2007 Perth Magic Millions yearling sale.