So it was appropriate at Oamaru yesterday that if Hansen's 2yr-old thoroughbred Dezzies Delight could not win, the victory should go to the granddaughter of a champion.
Hansen was at Oamaru yesterday to watch Dezzies Delight, which he part-owns with trainer Sabin Kirkland, in the $20,000 2yr-old 1200m race.
And it looked like the stop-off on the way back from watching the Highlanders' victory over the Chiefs might have been worth it, as Dezzies Delight's jockey, Robert Hannam, led the field for home at the top of the straight.
Instead, it was a famous equine name which featured among the direct ancestors of winner Sheralee.
The filly is by Sun Ruler, the son of Zabeel and wonder mare Sunline.
Sun Ruler was a $2 million purchase at the 2007 Karaka sales, but never hit the heights of his mother on the track, winning two races from 13 attempts.
Sunline won more than $A11 million ($NZ11.7 million) in her 48 starts, 32 of which ended in victory, and she is regarded as one of the toughest mares to grace the tracks of Australasia.
Sun Ruler stands for $3000 at Archer Park and Sheralee is the first product of Sun Ruler's first crop to reach the races.
