Hawaiian Sound

After finishing second on his debut, Hawaiian Sound recorded his first success in a six furlong maiden race at York Racecourse in July winning by three lengths from fifteen opponents. In September, the colt was moved up in class and distance for the Royal Lodge Stakes over one mile at Ascot, and was made 11/4 favourite, largely on reports that he was superior to his stable companion Sexton Blake, who had won the Champagne Stakes. He never looked likely to win, finishing third, two and a half lengths behind the winner Shirley Heights. On his final appearance of the year, Hawaiian Sound finished eighth of the twelve runners behind Dactylographer in the William Hill Futurity after being badly hampered in the early stages.[2]

Hawaiian Sound began his three-year-old season in March 1978 when he won a minor event over one mile at Kempton Park Racecourse, beating Sharpen Your Eye by three lengths. In April he won the Heath Stakes over nine furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse, beating M-Lolshan. In the Chester Vase, he started the odds-on favourite but was beaten a neck by Icelandic.[5]

The American jockey Willie Shoemaker was brought over to ride Hawaiian Sound in his next three races. At Epsom Downs Racecourse in June, the colt started a 25/1 outsider for the 199th running of the Derby Stakes. Shoemaker sent Hawaiian Sound into the lead from the start and the colt looked the likely winner in the last quarter mile but was caught in the final strides and was beaten a head by Greville Starkey on Shirley Heights.[6] In the Irish Derby later that month he fought against Shoemaker's attempts to restrain him and after taking the lead in the straight he was beaten in a three-way photo-finish by Shirley Heights and Exdirectory. In July, Hawaiian Sound was matched against older horses for the first time when he contested the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse. He finished third behind Ile de Bourbon and Acamas but was later promoted to second after the runner-up was disqualified for failing a drug test.[5]

In August, Hawaiian Sound was brought back in distance for the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup over ten and a half furlongs at York Racecourse. Ridden by Lester Piggott, he started the 2/1 favourite[7] against a field which included Balmerino, Julio Mariner, Gunner B, More So, Cistus (Nassau Stakes) and Don (Lockinge Stakes). Hawaiian Sound took the lead soon after the start, went clear of his rivals early in the straight and won by a length and a half from Gunner B, with Jellaby in third. Hawaiian Sound bypassed the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and was aimed instead at the Champion Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse in October. Starting the 7/4 favourite, he appeared to reproduce his York form but was beaten into second place by the improving filly Swiss Maid.[5]

Hawaiian Sound's third season was compromised by illness, as the Hills stable was affected by a viral infection. He started in the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket in April for which he was the 5/4 favourite. Ridden by Steve Cauthen, he won from Spring In Deepsea, despite his saddle slipping soon after the start. He failed to reproduce his form in two subsequent outings, finishing unplaced in the Prix Ganay and running fourth in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.[8]