Enhancing his claims for the $2 million Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick next Saturday, Hauraki settled back on the fence midfield. McDonald found all the short cuts and was untroubled to defeat Omeros (High Chaparral) by two and a half lengths with Merion (O'Reilly) a length back in third. (photos Lisa Grimm).
In recording his first stakes win the son of Reset advances his overall record to 3 wins and 1 second from 6 starts for earnings of $203,660.
"I thought that he was pretty strong through the line there today," O'Shea said
"We have always felt he could win a Derby and were trying to be a little greedy and try to win an Australian Guineas along the way, but it just didn't quite work out.
"We have got him home, we have got him well and hopefully next Saturday he acquits himself well.
Hauraki is the ninth foal and fourth stakes-winner out of Darley's Youthful Presence (Dehere) whose previous foals include the Group 1 South Australian Derby winner Kidnapped (Viscount), Group II WA Guineas winner and Group 1 placed Academus (Lonhro) and Listed winner Deledio (Testa Rossa).
A half-sister to Group II winner Walking Or Dancing (Falvelon) and Listed winner Iron Gail (Canny Lad), Youthful Presence has an unraced 2yo filly by Bernardini named Vernal, a weanling filly by Sepoy and was covered by Lonhro last spring.
Hauraki becomes the 30th stakes-winner for Darley Stud's Reset (Zabeel) who covered 100 mares last spring at a fee of $16,500.
