The venue was Beaudesert and the company was low brow but HEYOKA’s disposal of her rivals on Thursday, was dominant despite the narrow margin.
Trapped 3 deep throughout in a hotly run 1200m BM65 Handicap, the 4yo notched her third win in just half a dozen starts. Having begun her career with an impressive victory at Doomben, trainer Matt Hoysted decided to take her back to the country after an underwhelming winter campaign.
“She’s always been a mare we’ve liked but she didn’t come up last preparation,” Hoysted revealed.
“We’ve now been able to give her two hopefully, confidence boosting wins back in grade and she can continue to improve.”
Heyoka wins in a tight photo finish for @hoystedracing! 📸 pic.twitter.com/TxAJRBs92i
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 16, 2025
The SPIRIT OF BOOM mare had scored decisively first up at Warwick on Boxing Day over 1100m and the manner in which she finished off the 1200m suggests she will appreciate further. Indeed, her mother LADY SIOUX was a 7 time victor up to 1400m.
Rider Jasper Franklin feels HEYOKA will be better suited to more spacious tracks than Beaudesert.
“I just had to help her round the tight corner, she came off the bridle a bit soon,” Franklin revealed post-race.
“I had to wait until we straightened up before I really went for her but once I did, she won like the favourite she was.”
HEYOKA was purchased for $60,000 from the 2022 Magic Millions March QTIS Yearling Sale and takes her total earnings past her price tag.
It was Proven’s 4th victory in 2025 and a timely one for our Qld stable following the recent Magic Millions Sale in which 7 of the 11 yearlings secured, are heading to Hoysted’s Eagle Farm HQ….see details HERE
