GRAND LARCENY ALMOST STEALS A GROUP ONE
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Zoustar gelding GRAND LARCENY built on a first up Group 3 win in the John Hakes Stakes at Morphetville by almost pinching the Group One Goodwood Stakes at Morphetvilleon 9 May 2026. The exciting half brother to Everest winner and sire YES YES YES was racing at the elite level for the very first time. Jockey Ben Melham gave the 5yo gelding an absolute peach of a ride, jumping brilliantly from Barrier 12 and crossing to put him in the firing line. Melham quickly had him in a rhythm and after turning for home he waited and waited till asking for the supreme effort. He briefly hit the front but was run down inside the final 50m to finish a brave 3rd. Not only was this his first start at G1 level, it was also his first start at 1200m. Rather than loosing admirers his fan club increased.
Trainer Wayne Hakes describes him as a tricky customer. “You have to work with him as he is not a horse you can put anything over. We have been lucky that the owners have been so patient as we have continually had to reset to get the best out of him.” In this two run campaign jockey Ben Melham has worked with the horse rather than putting him in handcuffs. Connections have been rewarded with a G3 win and a Group 1 placing, a far cry from benchmark races in the Spring.
Sent for a spell after this courage performance Wayne commented “We were unlucky today but another break and a slow build up will see him improve even further into the Spring and there are really good targets like the G1 Oakleigh Plate over 1100m that we can target”.
Replay and a photo can be found at the Racing South Australia website.
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