Hello Romeo becomes Youmzain’s first

Lindsay Park’s great run with juveniles continued at Bendigo on Wednesday when Hello Romeo led home a stable quinella and score a milestone victory for his sire.

The colt became the first winner from Hello Youmzain’s New Zealand’s crops when he led all the way to win the Avis Bendigo 2YO Handicap over 1000 metres.

The victory came eight days after Lindsay Park supplied the trifecta in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington, having also produced Rohesia to finish third in the $500,000 Inglis Banner last Saturday.

Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership with brother Will and JD, was thrilled to see the stable’s good run continue with Hello Romeo improving off his debut second placing at the same track on Caulfield Cup day.

“You could see he really learnt from his first run, he stepped half-a-length slow and then he dictated and he gave a really good kick this time and he was strong through the line,” Hayes said.

The $4.20 second favourite, who was ridden by Koby Jennings, scored by 1-3/4 lengths from barnmate Mrs Iglesia ($4.80), who finished three-quarters-of-a-length clear of $4 favourite and third placegetter Tiz Worthy.

Hello Romeo, a $150,000 purchase out of Karaka, was the first Southern Hemisphere winner for dual Group 1-winning sprinter Hello Youmzain, a son of Kodiac who stands at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand.

“They’re very professional, straight-forward horses and he’s thrown really nice types,” Hayes said.

“We loved him at the Karaka sales and it was good to see him come out and win at his second start.”

Hello Romeo is the first foal from Shooting To Win mare Juleita who is a half-sister to three-time Group 1 winner and Cox Plate runner-up Humidor.