Hansa to defy the handicaps in 1,000 Guineas

HANSA MIGHT have been in receipt of 11lb when handing SOCIAL AVIATOR her only loss in four starts, powering away in the seven-furlong Thornbird Stakes, but won strong after being broadsided at the start by SUMMER PALACE and having to race five-wide entering the lane to avoid further interference.

Returning in Saturday’s 1000 Guineas, sitting level with stablemate DANKA and SOCIAL AVIATOIR, who returned to make it three wins from four starts by outbattling Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes winner BURNING HEDGE in the Portmore, HANSA is 17lb heavier but one race smarter, loaded with pedigree to defy the handicaps.

Sired by Successful Native, HANSA’s dam is Cape, a daughter of Lonhro, Australian Horse of the Year 2003-2004 and champion sire 2010-11.

Dubbed ‘The Black Flash’, Lonhro won 26 races during an outstanding 35-start career, 11 at Group 1 level, including the Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Stakes (twice), Mackinnon Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes (twice), George Ryder Stakes (twice), Queen Elizabeth Stakes, CF Orr Stakes, and George Main Stakes.

A far-striding runner, HANSA’s sweeping move coming off the turn in the Thornbird swallowed MISS MONEYPENNY, LADY BABITA, LINGUIST and SOCIAL AVIATOR with claiming rider Tajay Suckoo a mere passenger until applying a tap of the whip a furlong and a half out.

Still a bit green on her fourth start, HANSA quickened four-wide, sprinting past the trio of SOCIAL AVIATOR, DANKA and LINGUIST inside the final half-furlong. BURNING HEDGE closed for fourth, signalling her return to form, which she delivered three weeks later with a spirited run in the Portmore.

HANSA bypassed the Portmore in which SOCIAL AVIATOR and BURNING HEDGE outclassed the field, a neck separating them while five lengths clear of third-place PRETTY PERFECT, setting up a 1000 Guineas rematch with the missing Thornbird Stakes winner.

Dane Dawkins, 2022 champion jockey, who has the patience of Job, replaces Suckoo aboard HANSA. Though Suckoo got the job done in the Thornbird, it was clear that he was astride the best horse in the race with an 11lb advantage against a tidy Robert Halledeen aboard runner-up SOCIAL AVIATOR.

Richard Azan has clearly tightened screws on HANSA, twice galloping seven furlongs in 1:30.0 out the mile chute and returning treated with Lasix for her Guineas bid. Dawkins should use his experience to make the weight count for nothing.