Racing: Good luck charm flown to US and everyone's happy

By BARRY STREET

A four-year-old Wellington girl has worked the oracle for former New Zealand galloper Happyanunoit, who has stamped herself the No 1 racemare on turf in the United States.

Melissa Moroney and her dad, Matamata bloodstock agent Paul Moroney, were flown at considerable expense to California for the Beverley Hills Handicap, a group one 2000m, billed as a match race for US supremacy between Happyanunoit and Astra, at Hollywood Park.

Susperstitious American owner John Amerman wanted Melissa as a spectator because she had named the mare, formerly raced by her father, and had never seen her beaten.

The wealthy Mr Amerman, a former head of the giant toy manufacturer Mattel, would have considered the two return air fares money well spent because "Happy" romped home.

Astra had previous beaten Happyanunoit at group one level over 2000m But the former New Zealander's new connections were supremely confident this time of a turnaround.

Trainer Bobby Frankel had a few reasons why Happyanunoit had come off second best in the Gamely Handicap on June 4.

"My filly carried more weight, and the other filly had a better trip," were a couple of Frankel's offerings.

"Also, Astra carried 4lb less [weight] than Happy, who travelled three wide for much of the race."

Frankel's confidence for the rematch was based on the weight difference this time being only 1lb in Astra's favour.

"No excuses this time," Amerman declared.

According to an American report of the race, Astra led until rider Brice Blanc took Happyanunoit up to challenge at the 600m.

The pair set to it, but the Kiwi mare was full of running. She went two lengths clear at the 200m and continued to draw away.

The report also says that the race commentator knew what he was watching and acclaimed Happyanunoit at the line with the words "she's back!"

Next home was Sweet Life followed by Polish Patriot.

The battle took its toll on Astra, who faded and was relegated to fifth after causing interference.

Happyanunoit raced in New Zealand for Paul and Anne-Marie Moroney after Paul Moroney bought her for only $20,000 at the 1997 National Yearling Sales at Karaka from John Corcoran's Grangewilliam draft.

She won three New Zealand two-year-old races, including the group one Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, and was runner-up to to Dracula in the group one Champagne Stakes in Sydney.

Amerman bought her for a six-figure sum, which he has recouped.

The mare's last seven starts, all at between group one and group three, have resulted in four wins, three seconds and earnings of $US1.1 million.

She would now rank almost on a par with the champion Takanini mare Sunline, which is a major boost for the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry.