Relieved to see Elwick go ahead yesterday, although we all held our breath when it was announced that there was no vet on course so the races had to be delayed at the start by 30 mniutes until he arrived. Once again a poor reflection on Tasmanian racing and its organisation – or lack of it. Speaking with a couple of leading trainers this morning and it appears that the track surface was safe to race on, although this time the track was rated a ’dead 4 – 5 ’ (well that’s a lot better than the concrete surfaces that we’ve had in the last few months) . What they found frustrating is the inconsistency of the track with some patches much heavier than others. With technology and irrigation infastructure so advanced nowdays its difficult to believe that track staff are unable to get a consistently good surface to race on. Sure if the heavens open that that’s out of their control, but in the Summer when the weather is pretty consistent so should the track be.
Armidale stallions had another good day yesterday with 3 winners from the 10 race card. SUGAR GUM (TOUGH SPEED – TASSIE BLUE GUM) bred and raced by Bruce and Katrina Archer of Westwood, raced away for a comfortable win in the maiden over 1400m. Trained by John Blacker and raced by Bruce and Katrina with a group of friends this filly had put the ‘writing on the wall’ with an impressive second last start.
ABERVALE STAR (SAVOIRE VIVRE – TAINUI STAR) looks to have found form again with an impressive win in the Class 1 over 2100m. Born and reared at Armidale, and bred by Danny and Rowan Hamer, ABERVALE STAR is trained at Spreyton by Barry Campbell and was ridden by Stephen Maskiell.
REBEL BRIDE (TELESTO – STRIKING SORT) took out the Winzenberg Trophy Handicap for 3 year old fillies in convincing style. Just how good is this filly? She now has 6 wins and a second from 8 starts. Born and reared at Armidale and bred by Victorian Paul Sholly, Rebel Bride is also trained at Spreyton by Leon Wells.
Armidale will be selling the only TELESTO in the Magic Millions Yearling sale on 21st February - he is a half brother to Group 2 winning mare NUCLEAR FREE and also half brother to the very smart MISLAID (stakes placed, 12 wins). Catalogued as Lot 70, he is a short coupled, tough, running type similar in build to NUCLEAR FREE, which isn’t surprising as he is bred on similar lines being by a son of Mr Prospector (Nuclear Free is by Geiger Counter who is a son of Mr Prospector) out of the Armidale mare FORGETFUL. In fact we mated Forgetful to Telesto hoping to get a filly that we could race and keep as a broodmare but it wasn’t to be.
hi robyn . it,s chris wickham here my wife sharon and myself race Rebel Bride just in case you forgot who i am and the race she won on sunday is an open mares race not a 3 yo fillies race and also she has 6 wins and 2 thirds from her 8 runs