From Left Of Centre with Steve Morris
As you read this, the chances are I am mid-air and on my way to face the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium.
It always feels like a long preseason but at last footy is back and hopefully when I sit down to piece together my next column the Tiges have a big fat ‘W’ on the board.
As I discussed with Shane Anderson on RSN earlier in the week, there are many things about a racehorse that newcomers need to be educated about.
The gelding of a horse can be a hot topic of discussion for owners of a horse with a pedigree page that could one day see him popular in the breeding barn.
Often owners and/or trainers are placed in a predicament when their talented colt or entire is not delivering on expectations.
Three fantastic examples are three of the most improved gallopers Australia has seen over the past 12 months.
Knoydart is out of G1 Coolmore Classic-winning mare Regal Cheer whose mother was also a G2 winner, by one of the leading sires in Australia, More Than Ready.
Boban is by proven International sire Bernardini, out of G1 AJC Australian Oaks winner Kenbelle.
Perhaps the most significant is Lankan Rupee. Lankan Rupee is by a proven sire of sires, Redoute's Choice, out of G3 winning Stravinsky mare Estelle Collection.
Consider this. Should he have his manhood intact at this point in time his would be a hot stud commodity with a price tag reaching well in excess of $15 million.
However when you take into consideration that his last six starts prior to being gelded netted just two minor placings, as opposed to a record of seven starts for six wins following the procedure including two G1 victories, it seems connections have pulled the right reign.
In fact, the only time Lankan Rupee hasn't saluted in that time he pulled up with a case of the thumps.
It can be a difficult decision, and one that can backfire, however it is hard to imagine these three horses improving to a level that would see them reach the heights that they have if not for being 'two stone lighter'.
UPCOMING
Whilst we leave the main Melbourne Autumn Carnival of racing behind us and redirect our focus to Sydney, there is one horse that will be of particular interest to me at Bendigo on Saturday.
Wilderness, a $2.4 Million Fastnet Rock colt that was purchased at last year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale makes his debut in the $250,000 Vobis Gold Rush.
Wilderness is out of Gold Anthem, also the producer of Starspangledbanner who is by another Danehill-line stallion in Choisir.
In Sydney, track conditions will play a major role.
We see the return of the top seeded sprinter in Buffering, who will be challenged by a fit and firing Snitzerland in the Challenge Stakes.
Aided by a very tidy fresh record of four starts for three wins and a minor placing, Sessions has been met with early support to test the star duo.
The Randwick Guineas presents a great opportunity for one of the 10 colts in the field to stand up and announce himself as a stud prospect going forward with a G1 win on his CV.
With so many of the leading contenders having five-star pedigree pages, this race will be closely monitored by stud masters around Australia.
At last we witness the return of crack sprinter Zoustar who will find himself juggling stud duties between Widden Stud in NSW and Woodside Park in Victoria at the conclusion of his race career.
No doubt he will have his work cut out by the highly touted Not Listenin'tome, whilst star mares Red Tracer and Appearance head to the race in red-hot form.
Until next week…good luck and good racing!
