August 14, 2015
The treatment of greyhounds and the exposed problems of the dogs’ short-life expectancy problem has crystallised a looming challenge for the thoroughbred sector.
Sooner or later the magnifying glass will turn to the life stories of bloodstock.
The warmth of the torch has already been felt via the imposition of the contemporary whip rules.
At present, country racing serves as a mechanism that extends the active life of racehorses.
There are countless cases of “tried” horses getting another chance to exist at a much lower class level.
Many thrive, often because of the rural environs.
And for some, it is an extra roll of the dice.
An example of the efforts to spread a positive message to the public comes in the shape of the Triequithon display booked in for Caulfield on 29 August.
As part of Racing Victoria’s “Off The Track” project, retired racehorses that have moved on to dressage, country and show jumping events will have their new skills showcased between races on Memsie Stakes Day.
The drum beat is about demonstrating how four-legged retirees are cared for after their spin on the turf.
Racing NSW and Corrective Services NSW have a joint venture entitled Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Program that focusses on the retirement and retraining of racehorses.
It seems a safe bet that pressure will eventually build on Racing Queensland to have some formal process to cover this topic of concern.
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This Weekend’s Activity
Hannah English’s win on the Raymond Frazer prepared Fastpitch at Cunnmulla last Saturday means she has climbed a rung on the ladder.
The fifth career victory sees her allowance drop from four to three kilograms.
The Lee Park apprentice has four bookings at this weekend’s Talwood fixture.
This annual Downs meeting was saved from disappointment when the traditional protocol of exempting Cup races from the minimum starter rule seemingly was brought into play.
The Cup had only four acceptors but survived.
English teams up again with Patrick Sexton’s pair Winner Wimmer and Luck’s In.
Sunshine Coast rookie Stephanie Lacy and Deagon apprentice Jed Hodge will be in action at Charleville.
Meanwhile Lisa Fashionista, the speedy mare trained at Nanango by Barry Phillips, will be partnered by Rhiannon Payne in a BM 75 (870m) contest at Toowoomba on Saturday.
The Nolan family, Gympie’s wonderful long term sponsor, has been rewarded with a highly competitive line up in Saturday’s $22,000 Nolan Meats Muster Cup.
Although the open sprint was scrapped, the club has a very pleasing roll-up in a period that can be light on numbers.
On the other hand, money must be really tight as Sunday’s 1200 metre Maiden at the Sunshine Coast was not divided.
At least 21 horses were signed up at declaration time.
The race has 13 and a staggering eight reserves.
Kristen Wenck’s entry Col’s Pride is sixth emergency and is unlikely to accompany his Class 1 stablemate Pug’s Pocket on the trip from Wondai.
On Sunday, there are no Burnett-based gallopers engaged at Kilcoy’s Sky 2 TAB program that has a side serving of three harness races.
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The Top Tier Starts Turning Out
This Saturday’s $250,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m, Group 2) at Randwick is the first key all-age event of the new season.
The imported Pornichet, winner of this year’s Toowoomba and Doomben Cups, puts Queensland winter form on the line while the reputations of Kermadec, First Seal, Complacent, Gust of Wind and Royal Descent will also be up for assessment.
Great names such as Kingston Town, Super Impose, Filante, Sunline and Lohnro are on this race’s honour board.
Alas, this stellar group puts the race’s recent victors in the shade.
On Saturday week, the $400,000 Memsie Stakes (1400m,Group1) will be Melbourne’s curtain-raiser to the spring.
Australian racing would really benefit by the emergence of some long-term stars.
There have been enough little skyrockets that light up the arenas for a season or so.
Longevity that builds a fan base would be stimulating, because the “wow factor” is missing at the moment.
Although it is too much to expect Black Caviar II or a Makybe Diva II to pop up soon, the country would welcome another Takeover Target, Northerly, Might and Power or Octagonal!
The jury’s verdict on Vancouver is out until he has another run over a longer trip.
Some witnesses are naturally concerned that he struggled to be just two lengths clear of a $151 chance at the end of last weekend’s San Domenico Stakes.
Although it was only 1100 metres and he did have 60 kilograms aboard, a “champion” arguably should have managed a place.
Yes, he is an impressive looker but beauty needs to be more than skin deep.
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Australian Flag Bearer Fails In England
Criterion does face an uphill run to capture elite laurels at home this spring.
The Sebring entire raced in the autumn and has been out of the frame twice in Britain during our winter.
Now, despite the quarantine requirements and the long flight home, there is talk of his backing up in October’s Cox Plate.
Australian reports about his sixth placing at 22/1 in the £850,000 Juddmonte International (about 10 f) at York on Wednesday overlook a few realities.
The chestnut was in fact last of the main posse, beating just Cougar Mountain (50/1), the 2015 Cox Plate entrant that was eased up in the straight.
The Aiden O’Brien charge was possibly paid up to assist his more highly fancied stablemate Gleneagles, a candidate that was withdrawn because of an unfavourable track rating.
The Group 3 winning filly Arabian Queen (50/1) downed Golden Horn, the 9/4 on favourite that never settled into rhythm.
And the hot-pot’s stablemate Dick Doughtywylie (100/1) ran fifth.
