3 minute read
It’s been an up and down fortnight for Australian sport.
Firstly, the Socceroos were dealt a cruel blow by drawing the same group as 2010 World Cup finalists the Netherlands and Spain, whilst Chile was thrown in for good measure.
On the other hand the Aussies regained the Ashes and were able to celebrate without urinating on the pitch. Good work lads! I look forward to getting along to the G along with many other die-hard sporting fans for the Boxing Day test.
There’s plenty going on as always in the world of racing.
DARLEY DEAL
As is always the case when one door closes, another one opens and it has opened in a big way for Sydney-based trainer John O'Shea. Already the trainer of 18 Group 1 winners in his 13-year training career, O'Shea takes on one of the most envied jobs in Australian racing and will be hoping to add to his growing tally of success in the coming years.
If current trainer Peter Snowden's assessment of the head position is met with any accuracy, O'Shea will certainly be a busy man, yet it is little wonder he was reluctant to pass up such an outstanding opportunity. O'Shea will begin as head trainer of the Australian Darley Operation at the conclusion of the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
FLR ON FIRE
After a tough couple of weeks for syndication companies (despite BC3 not being a licensed syndicator), with events unfortunately having a negative impact on the reputation of syndication, First Light Racing has been running hot on the track.
Boasting an astonishing four winners and one city placegetter from their past six runners, FLR continue to demonstrate just how enjoyable racehorse ownership can be on many different levels. They have made a name for themselves by finding yearlings that turn into winners at a bargain-basement price and involving big groups of owners to share in the enjoyment.
I walked into the club last week to find our Strength and Conditioning Coach at the Tigers, Adam Douglas, proudly showing off a video to anyone who would watch of a horse he owned a share in (a hair on its back with some good mates).
A $44,000 Yearling purchase, Elusive Shine was the horse in question and it was certainly a performance worth watching as he powered away to a six-length win first-up off an 84-week lay off. The 4yo son of Excites looks set for better races, and it’s stories like these that will continue to get people more involved in racehorse ownership - a great thing for our industry.
MM 2YO'S
The race for trainers to have their juveniles at the peak of their powers for the $2 Million Magic Millions Classic has well and truly heated up. Top Queensland colt Vienna Royale fell by the wayside when he was posted deep after missing the kick as odds-on favourite in one of the major lead-up races over the weekend.
Oakleigh Girl was again impressive winning the Calaway Gal Stakes, however, she was certainly tested enough to suggest she may be vulnerable in such a high-pressure race.
The next piece in the puzzle is likely to be placed on Saturday week when Oakleigh Girl meets boom Sydney 2yo Echo Gal in the Bruce McLachlan Stakes. There is no doubt some youngsters that are yet to grace the track the will also look to press their claims for a late bid at the lucrative race.
NZ STARS RETIRE
There has been no bigger influence on the racing and breeding Industry in this part of the world than Zabeel. Alongside Danehill, he has shaped and will continue to shape breeding in this region for many years to come, despite the decision to call it a day on his breeding career earlier in the week.
His record as a sire is outstanding with 43 individual Group 1 winners to his name and he has only started scratching the surface as a broodmare sire. Zabeel captured the rare feat of broodmare-siring the first three placegetters in the G1 Underwood Stakes in It's A Dundeel, Atlantic Jewel and Dear Demi.
In addition to Zabeel's retirement as a stallion, New Zealand's best performed current racehorse has run his last race. Ten-time Group 1 winner Mufhasa (King Mufhasa in Australia) will be retired after sustaining an injury to a sesamoid bone.
AUCTION HOUSES
It's great to see publicity surrounding auction houses and calls for a clean-up of sales rings around Australia. It's a wake-up call that the industry needed and one that may very well help strengthen the integrity in both racing and breeding.
The main concerns surround the presence of 'Dummy Bidders' in sales rings around Australia. Breeders may not necessarily like it but surely it’s the step forward that the industry needs to take to crack down heavily on dummy bidders and help make our industry more transparent and inviting for newcomers.
Until next week…good luck and good racing!
