Wagga mare O’ So Hazy has been recognised for an outstanding season by being named Southern District Racing Association (SDRA) Horse of the Year.
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O’ So Hazy’s connections were awarded the top gong for 2017-18 season at the SDRA Awards at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Wednesday night.
It was a big night for the Scott Spackman stable with Takookacod awarded the SDRA 3YO of the Year title.
O’ So Hazy won five races and $204,670 in prizemoney through the 2017-18 season, progressing from a maiden to a third placing in the Country Championships in the space of six months.
She won the $150,000 SDRA Country Championship heat, finished third in the final at Randwick, and also ran fourth in the $150,000 Wagga Town Plate.
O’ So Hazy was a commanding winner of the Horse of the Year award, voted by the SDRA committee, finishing well clear of her six fellow finalists in the voting.
Spackman was thrilled to take out such a prestigious award with O’ So Hazy.
“I’ve been in this game a long time and I go back to Money Road, my old man had it, and we thought he would win a SDRA Horse of the Year but didn’t,” Spackman said.
“There’s a lot of very good horses that haven’t won this award so it means a lot to win it.
“She’s been massive, this little mare, for my stable. God she’s been good and we still haven’t seen the best of her yet.”
O’ So Hazy is owned by Noel Penfold and Larneuk Stud’s Neville Murdoch.
Penfold also owns Takookacod, who was also a commanding winner of the 3YO title after winning the Wagga Town Plate Prelude and four other races to earn $78,915 in prizemoney for the season.
O’ So Hazy has endured a difficult preparation on return this campaign.
She has been unplaced in all four runs but did secure a place in the inaugural $1.3 million Kosciuszko, where she finished ninth.
O’ So Hazy’s next assignment will be Friday’s $70,000 Snake Gully Cup (1400m) at Gundagai, where she is the second favourite behind Mercurial Lad.
Spackman said next year’s Country Championships is the aim for O’ So Hazy, pending how she performs at her next couple of starts, as another win would rule her ineligible.
“It’s a learning curve for her again now," he said.
“She’s up against it, as far as her benchmark. She probably got there too quick.
“We’ve got a few little things up our sleeve yet and she will be back for the Country Champs again next year.”
The Tim Donnelly-trained Jodhpur won 2YO of the Year.
SDRA Awards Night
Horse of the Year: O’ So Hazy
3YO of the Year: Takookacod
2YO of the Year: Jodhpur
Trainer’s premiership: Trevor Sutherland
Jockey’s premiership: Nick Heywood
Apprentice jockey’s premiership: Josh Richards and Rebeka Prest
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