Hooray for Hazel

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Hazel van Opzeeland has raced a lot of horses, many at the highest level. But she got a good amount of pleasure watching Gottagoodfeeling (Vincent) whom she bred, win the $40,000 Group Three Miki’s Deal Southern Two Year Old Fillies Classic at Winton yesterday.

Gottagoodfeeling was pushed out early by driver Carter Dalgety before he handed up to favourite I’m The Boss, driven by Blair Orange.

Dalgety took the passing lane when the pair headed for the winning post and showed enough speed to get past I’m The Boss to win by half a length.

Trained by Ken Barron, Gottagoodfeeling is out of two win Mach Three mare Renske B which van Opzeeland raced with friends - hence her name.

“I raced her with a very good friend of mine Jennifer (Love) who is no longer with us. One of her phrases when we raced Renske B was ‘I’ve got a good feeling about tonight Hazel, said in a whisper’. I thought, why not. I’m thinking about her today,” van Opzeeland said.

The Canterbury based owner has ventured south many times and won the 2009 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes with classy three year old Highview Tommy.

“Southland has a big place in my heart way back to the Tommy days. I love the people  I’ve known for a long time and meeting up with them again.”