Hi Yo Ugo provided another example of that theory at Wingatui yesterday, winning at his sixth career start for Ashworths Beach trainer Virginia Mackle.
The son of Lucky Unicorn is out of five-win mare Hi Yo Wassup and his siblings, Hi Yo Soo (five wins) and Hi Yo Ko (one win), have both provided wins to go on the pedigree page of the Al Akbar mare.
‘‘The whole family has promise and that's a big thing. I think luck and ability runs in families,'' Mackle said yesterday.
The progeny of Lucky Unicorn are relishing the extra distance of staying races.
Sureasyouwereborn has flown the flag for the Australian-bred sire in the South Island and Rock Diva won the Auckland Cup over 3200m earlier this year.
Hi Yo Ugo is no different, which made his run for seventh over 1600m during New Zealand Cup week all the better.
‘‘The further he goes, the better he gets, but because we had points and could get a start at Riccarton and with the stakes up for grabs, he had to start.''
The 4yr-old lost few admirers with his solid finish behind Night Nurse at Riccarton, and benefited from a steady ride from Toni Direen yesterday to score over 2200m
.‘‘I'm thrilled with how he's gone and thrilled for the owners - they've been so good to me in trusting me with the horse.''
Those owners are Graeme and Josephine Reid, of New Plymouth, who breed from Hi Yo Wassup and race Hi Yo Ugo in partnership with Mackle.
Hi Yo Ugo was prepared in Taranaki, placing second in a trial for Janelle Millar in October last year before coming south to North Canterbury in May and debuting at Riccarton in September.
‘‘His first two runs he had, he was goofy, and then he woke up that he was meant to be a racehorse, and I think he's starting to turn into a professional racehorse,'' Mackle said.
The gelding will now have four to six weeks out so he can add some meat to his frame.
‘‘More body-wise than height - I don't want him too much taller - but he's starting to bulk up now. I'm going to give him the chance to bulk up without the pressure on him and then look at some late summer and early autumn races.''
