Look out if Hara’s Oden gets early space

By Josh Spasaro

If Hara’s Oden gets clear air in the QGOLD Emerging Sprinters Final at Q1 Lakeside on Saturday, his opponents better not blink.

That is the opinion of trainer Jemma Daley when asked about his chances in the $25,000 feature over 457 metres.

The Park Ridge conditioner’s two-year-old brings excellent form into his assignment.

Hara’s Oden has saluted in four of his past seven starts, including a highly impressive three-length win in his heat last Saturday, crossing the line in 25.20 seconds.

His past three wins from four races over 457 metres have all come from box eight.

On each occasion, he opened up big gaps on his opponents in the home straight due to his blistering turn of foot.

And, when Hara’s Oden won his Golden Chase Sprint heat on March 28, he opened up a massive lead early and maintained it after the turn for home.

He went on to prevail by six-and-a-quarter lengths, also in a time of 25.20 seconds.

“He’s been blessed his last few to be drawn exactly where he wants to be,” Daley said.

“It’s just the first 20 metres with him – he needs that room to muster and once he hits top gear, he’s pretty brutal.”

Daley is hoping Hara’s Oden – by Bernardo and out of her dam, Hara’s Penny – can draw wide again for Saturday’s Final.

“I think that’s where he wants to be and I think everyone curses when he draws out there because he’s a big dog,” she said.

“He doesn’t like to be crowded and out there he gets all the room. But, in saying that, it doesn’t really matter where he draws – as long as he gets a bit of clean air early.”

Before Hara’s Oden made a winning debut in his Dave Brett Memorial heat as a 17-month-old dog at Q1 Lakeside in September last year, Daley commented on his impressive physique and racing maturity.

“He’s a nice young pup. He’s quite a big pup. He’s still very young, but he’s always done everything right and he’s been very sound right through,” she said at the time.

Now with seven wins from 20 starts and over $50,000 in prizemoney, Daley has been delighted with his progress, with recent scalps including fellow star juvenile chasers, Sironen Tiger and Scrub’s Blue.

“We’re rapt with him. He’s doing everything right. He’s still a big baby and has a lot to learn,” the top trainer said. 

“But, he keeps putting the right steps forward, so we’ll just keep chipping away.

“We’ll be aiming him for the carnival at the end of the year. I think he’ll be coming of age around then.

“He’s only going to improve.”

Meanwhile, trainer and breeder Daley has also been happy with the progress of Hara’s Pickle, Hara’s Neo and Hara’s Pumpkin.

Hara’s Pickle – by Orson Allen and out of the top young conditioner’s dam, Hara’s Pandora – won on debut over 520 metres at Q2 Parklands last Sunday.

She crossed the line in 29.80 seconds.

“That was her first-ever 520 metre run at Q2 Parklands,” Daley said.

“She’s done everything right from the start, but I think there are a few in that litter who are as good as her, if not better.

“She’s just putting everything together now, so we’re chipping away with the rest of them.

“Hara’s Pumpkin produced a massive run (the two-year-old bitch finishing third over 457 metres at Q1 Lakeside on Tuesday). She’s probably the other one who we’re excited about.

“They’re the two we’re hoping to see step up in the next couple of months.”

There is also Hara’s Neo – by Fernando Bale and out of Daley’s 11-win bitch Hara’s Betty – who will start in the QGOLD Bolt Final over 390 metres at Q1 Lakeside on Saturday night.

“She’s doing everything right,” Daley said.

“She’s probably just not as strong, but has good early speed.”