Everything’s coming up Roses for Heza Sport!

Retired Geraldine estate agent and harness breeder-owner Denise Weaver admits that Hall of Fame horseman Colin DeFilippi has definitely got the wood on her when it comes to the progeny of the broodmare Just Rose. For now, anyway!

DeFilippi and his wife Julie trained Just Rose to six wins, including the 2012 Geraldine Cup, and bred two foals out of her—both by the Artsplace stallion Sportswriter—in Heza Sport and Here’s Herbie.

Both have tasted success at the top level.

Heza Sport has won 13 races so far—seven in New Zealand and six in Western Australia—amassing $479,481 in stakes. His résumé includes victories in the Group 3 Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington, the Listed Don Randall Memorial at Gloucester Park, and the Narrogin Cup. He also ran a close second to Mister Smartee in the $1.2 million The Nullarbor Slot race and finished third behind Mister Smartee and Minstrel in the $300,000 Fremantle Pacing Cup.

The seven-year-old gelding’s long-range mission is the $450,000 WA Pacing Cup in December.

Meanwhile, Here’s Herbie has notched eight wins and 13 placings from 55 starts, highlighted by victories in the Geraldine, Rangiora, and Methven Cups. He boasts a bankroll of $151,581.

Weaver and her partner, the late Don Stenhouse, bred the first two foals out of Just Rose—namely Just N Awe (by American Ideal) and We Will Rock You (by A Rocknroll Dance). Just N Awe won three races and $30,687, while We Will Rock You was untried and sadly died as a three-year-old.

“We then gave the mare to Colin to breed from for two years,” Denise said.

Weaver and Stenhouse have since bred a further four foals from Just Rose. The quartet includes Justa Terror (by Terror To Love), a winner at Banks Peninsula for Denise Ottley; the three-year-old Justa Rippa (by Downbytheseaside), who is being trained by Greg and Ben Hope; the two-year-old Don’s Delight (by Captain Crunch); and a weanling colt by Always B Miki.

“They’re all owned by syndicates. We’ve had a lot of fun with Just Rose and her offspring over the years,” Denise said.

Just Rose has produced eight colts to date. She’s now 17, and Denise hopes one day to finally get a filly out of her.

“Colin’s had all the luck with her so far, but our turn may still be to come.”

Just Rose is only the second venture into breeding for Weaver and Stenhouse.

“We were members of the syndicate that leased her dam Just N Time and, as part of the deal, we had the option on her first foal,” Denise said.

“The rest of the syndicate decided they didn’t want to continue breeding, so Don and I put her to Sands A Flyin on Colin’s advice.

Unfortunately, Just N Time died foaling and Just Rose is her only foal.