Cover image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin and InToWin Syndication secured Intention (NZ) (Bivouac) at the bargain price from Wentwood Grange at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
It looked like a shrewd purchase with the filly – out of Wentwood Grange broodmare Beela Hudood (Snitzel) – overhauling a game Landlock (Merchant Navy) inside the final 100 metres to win by 0.5l in the 1100-metre sprint on Saturday.
It was a sharp improvement from Intention after finishing fourth on debut at Otaki on November 28.
Intention (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Hawkins said he wasn’t nervous about Intention’s second start coming at Group 2 level on Saturday.
“She really got to her job that last 200 metres, didn’t she?” he told The Thoroughbred Report.
“The first run had a fair bit of merit, and you’re always excited to see them run and you want them to run to their best abilities.”
Dean Hawkins | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Hawkins said he had no regret that Intention was bought for just NZ$65,000 at Lot 603 by Mike Breslin and InToWin Syndication from Wentwood Grange during the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
“I’m just happy that she’s gone to a good trainer who was going to give her every chance,” he said.
“We’re sellers first and foremost. She was cheap and a good buy, but at the time if they sell we’re happy.
“I’m just happy that she’s gone to a good trainer who was going to give her every chance. We’re sellers first and foremost. She (Intention) was cheap and a good buy, but at the time if they sell, we’re happy.” - Dean Hawkins
“We bred and sold the winner of the race before in The Breeze Wellington, Komocean, who’s two from two. So, it was a pretty good day for us.”
Filly looks Karaka Million-ready
After Saturday’s victory in her second start, Breslin said he was thinking about next lining up Intention in the Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie Racecourse on January 25.
“We’ll take her home now and give her four or five days in the paddock,” Breslin said after the race.
“We’ve got the Karaka Millions as an option now obviously and how we get her there, we’ll just see how she does.”
“We’ve got the Karaka Millions as an option now obviously and how we get her (Intention) there, we’ll just see how she does.” - Mike Breslin
Hawkins said Breslin would prioritise looking after his promising filly, and he wouldn’t rush a decision on whether to start her in the $1 million sprint over 1200 metres.
“It (Karaka Million 2YO) is always a sharp race, but Mike and his team have done a fantastic job,” Hawkins said.
“If she does get there, we can’t wait to see her there. But Mike will do the best thing by the filly, I’m sure.”
The right pedigree for Intention
Intention was the first winner for both Group 1-winning sire Bivouac and Beela Hudood, with Hawkins noticing her athleticism early on at Wentwood Grange, which is about half an hour from Hamilton on New Zealand’s North Island.
“She’s by Bivouac, which is exciting in itself. He was a tremendous racehorse,” Hawkins said. “And she’s out of a Snitzel mare. There’s a Danehill cross there.
“That was why we bred her to Bivouac because we love the mating.
“She was a lovely, athletic filly, and we’re pleased she’s gone on and done that for the connections.”
Intention’s victory should be the first of many stakes wins for Bivouac, who stands at Darley for $55,000 (inc GST).
Bivouac | Standing at Darley
“We’ve been huge supporters of them (Darley) the whole way through,” Hawkins said. “We’ve got a great relationship with them. We bred and sold Kermadec, who stands at Darley.
“So, we always support them quite heavily. We’re very excited by Bivouac, and we’ve got a Bivouac (out of Raggedy Doll) to sell at Karaka (as Lot 234 in Book 1 from January 26-28).”
Hawkins said Beela Hudood also had plenty of potential as a broodmare.
“She’s got a beautiful Super Seth filly at foot,” he said. “It’s exciting to leave a Group 2-winning 2-year-old with her third foal.”’
Hawkins added Beela Hudood’s second foal, Gulfstate, showed good signs in finishing third for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young at Werribee on Saturday.
Gulfstate as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“Her second foal by Pride Of Dubai ran third for Trent and Natalie, and he looks like he’s a stayer in the making,” he said.
“Any mare, especially a Snitzel mare, who can leave a G2-winning 2-year-old is exciting, isn’t it?”
“Any mare, especially a Snitzel mare, who can leave a Group 2-winning 2-year-old is exciting, isn’t it?” - Dean Hawkins
Meanwhile, the Wentwood Grange-bred Kermadec (NZ) stands for $16,500 (inc GST) at Darley’s Northwood Park farm. He has produced eight stakes winners from 196 runners.
Wentwood Grange sold him for $260,000 to Mulcaster Bloodstock at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
“He was a tremendous yearling and we sold him to Guy Mulcaster and Chris Waller. He was a lovely, big strong horse,” Hawkins said.
“He went on to win a Group 1, and he’s done a good job with his strike rate of Group 1 winners, it’s been second to none.
“Even though he hasn’t covered the biggest books, we’re still proud of every horse who comes off this farm.”
Kermadec (NZ) | Standing at Darley Northwood Park Farm
Plenty to look forward to
Wentwood Grange will have 37 yearlings for sale at Karaka 2025 across Book 1 and 2 from January 26-30.
And it will also have four for sale at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, to be held January 7-13.
In the meantime, all staff are excited about Centennial Park (NZ) (Super Seth), to make his third start in a 3-year-old BM70 Handicap over a mile at Caulfield on Thursday.
Centennial Park (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Our focus is our draft at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Karaka and Classic (2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from February 9-11) drafts,” Hawkins said.
“They’re our prime focuses. On Thursday there’s a Super Seth, Centennial Park, and he’s for the (Tony and Calvin) McEvoy team.
“He won (in his second start), so I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses.
“We’re very lucky that we’ve been fortunate enough to always have something to look forward to.”
Hawkins said Lot 206 a colt by Palace Pier (GB) out of Pica Pica (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) at Karaka, Lot 23 a St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) filly from the So You Think (NZ) mare Thinkyoucandance at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and Lot 661 a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt out of So You Merge (So You Think {NZ}) at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale were ones to look out for.
Lot 23 - St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) x Thinkyoucandance (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We’ve got a Palace Pier colt out of Pica Pica, who’s a half to Komocean and Signify, who won the (G1) Telegraph Handicap,” Hawkins said. “We’re looking forward to him at Karaka.
“We’ve got a St Mark’s Basilica filly out of a So You Think mare at the Magic Millions. We’re looking forward to showcasing the first foals by St Mark’s Basilica.
“We’ve got a Wootton Bassett colt going to Classic who’s an absolute belter.
“Our Karaka draft is as strong as it’s ever been.”
“Our Karaka draft is as strong as it’s ever been.” - Dean Hawkins
