Undefeated Pencarrow Stud-bred Hasselhoof (Tavistock x Alpine) made it three from three on Saturday, winning the $18,500 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Handicap (1600m) at his home track of Ruakaka.

A 100% strike rate, Hasselhoof has won all three of his starts for trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs. It was a successful return to the track as a four-year-old following on from his first two wins which came as a three-year-old towards the end of last season over 1400m and 1600m.

“It was another very courageous effort,” commented Logan. “He hit the line strong and Matt (Cameron) said when the other horse came from behind he pinned his ears back and fought to the line with relative ease, although he is still very green in himself.

“He will race next in the 2100m at the Ruakaka meeting in a couple of weeks. Provided he can stay in his next start, there will be a few options for him, whether he goes to Australia for a staying race on the Underwood Stakes day at Caulfield or there is the other option of putting him aside until the racing after Christmas.”

Hasselhoof began the race from barrier 8 for regular rider Matthew Cameron, tucking in behind the leaders. Travelling one off the rail, Hasselhoof, the race-favourite, made his way around Dontbreakmyheart (NZ) (Guillotine) to be in fourth position as the turn for home loomed.

Making his move on straightening for home, Hasselhoof challenged pacemaker Charlie Farley (NZ) (Deputy Governor), hitting the front inside 200m. El Pescado (NZ) tried to challenge Hasselhoof down the straight but the son of Tavistock was too good as he raced away for a one-and-a-half-length triumph over El Pescado and Dontbreakmyheart in third.

Sir Peter Vela bred the four-year-old gelding with Philip Vela and recently purchased back into him. Also among the ownership group is Sir Patrick Hogan, the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, Donna Logan, Garry Cossey, Blair Alexander and the estate of the late Bill Woods.

Logan purchased Hasselhoof as a yearling at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2013 Karaka Select Sale for $14,000 from Pencarrow Stud.

The son of Tavistock is out of a Zabeel mare Alpine and is a half-brother to stakes-winner Vercors (Catbird), winner of the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. His dam is a full-sister to Manawa King (Zabeel), a runner-up in the Group 1 Sydney Cup, and is a half-sister to stakes-winner Lord Ted (Ballina), winner of the Group 1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Alpine foaled a colt by Rip Van Winkle in the 2014 breeding season.