Page 18 - June 2007 The Game

18 The Game, June 2007 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Thinking Ahead
In horse racing, we’re often caught up in day to day operations that consume so much of our efforts. In fact, many times it’s hard to remember what day it is as one 24 hour period blends into the next. Given that, we often don’t plan for the future - it seems that the “future” is the next pay- check, race or job. The bible contains a great book called Proverbs. It is one of several books of wisdom - it’s simply full of wise sayings and good things to live by. “Proverbs 28:19 - He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty”. Work hard, live well - simple, no? The book of Proverbs also gives us insight into the 2 topics that I want to address this month: planning for the future and planning for death.
Again, these aren’t subjects that we like to address, especially death. Fine, let’s start with planning for the future. Are we getting any younger? (If you are, please bottle what you’re using - have I got a deal for you!) Here in Ontario, our HBPA offers a subsidized group medical/dental/life insurance plan. Old or young, single or married, with children or without, we need to think about the unexpected. The Ontario plan starts at just over $30 per month for life for a single hot walker, groom, exercise person or assistant trainer. It covers accidental death and dismemberment, extended health and dental care. $30 a month won’t prevent some things, but it will address many needs we will encounter in the future. Recently, 2 workers on our back stretch needed operations and now require prescription drugs that they will probably take until their final days. Both single, 80% of the costs would be covered by the plan. Now, Proverbs doesn’t say “Thou shalt purchaseth Health Insurance!” It does however address wise planning: Proverbs 27:23 “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds”; and Proverbs 30:25 “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” Planning for the future is a wise move and a comparatively inexpensive move. You don’t have to insure with the HBPA and some stables offer their own plans, but being the father of 2, I’m glad I have it.
Planning for death can rank right up there with, oh say, a root canal (80%
coverage! - sorry). The Cowboy Preacher Lew Skerrit says he’s never seen a hearse pull a U-Haul - you just can’t take it with you. You can, however, make life a lot easier for others if you make out a will. “In the common law, a will or testament is a document by which a person regulates the rights of others over his property or family after death.” This simply addresses the concerns that family members may not be aware of at the time of death, i.e. type of burial, who receives what if there is an estate, etc. If there are no family members, it definitely addresses things that are now a grey area and may have to be settled by a trustee appointed by the state. There is also a liv- ing will, which focuses on specific health issues: “A living will, also called will to live, is one type of advance health directive, or advance health care directive.” (Both definitions were found easily on Wikipedia, but kits are also available at Staples, etc.) The will is not for you - it’s for others. If you care and love others who are close to you, you’ll do it.
Proverbs 3:25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, :26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. :27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. :28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—when you now have it with you. :29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
Get Tied On
with Chaplain Shawn
Did You Know....
That Great Britain will have its first new racecourse in 80 years open
its doors on August 16. Situated on the former Essex Show ground, Great Leighs is scheduled for final inspection by the British Horseracing Regulatory Authority in June 21. The new racecourse includes a saddling area with 14 stalls, veterinary facilities, an owners and trainers lounge and a large lawn areas for picnics.
Did You Know...
That Dubai Racing Officials have announced that the $6 million purse
for the Dubai World Cup will increase to $10 million in 2010 to coincide with the opening of the new
76 million square foot Meydan racing complex.
The Meydan complex which will include a state-of-the-art racetrack is
to be built near the present Nad al Sheba racecourse.
The name Meydan translates from Arabic to mean, “a place where
people congregate, compete and aspire to win.”
Stamina & Strength
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Outside the Borders with Nigel Griffiths
Old Stone Face’ has given everybody a bit of a scare again. Eleven time champion jockey Lester Piggott (71), having been admitted to hospital over Christmas with heart problems, found himself in hospital again recently while visiting Switzerland. There is no news as to when he will return to England.
Although she didn’t race at two, smart filly Mi Emma (Silvano) is making up for lost time and has now won all three of her races this season, culminating in an easy 9 length victory in the German 1000 Guineas at Dusseldorf. It would be a fair step up in class, but she does have an entry in the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and is an improving sort.
The English 2000 Guineas saga continued when hot favourite Teofilo was scratched from the line up. Irish bookmaker Paddy Power took the unprecedented decision to return all single bets on the horse. In March, one unfortunate punter had placed a win double bet, C$107,500 to win C$1.24 million, that Jim Bolger’s horses Teofilo and Finsceal Beo, would win their respective Guineas.
However, Finsceal Beo did contest the G1 1000 Guineas and the daughter of Mr Greeley, demolished the field to win very, very impressively.
A week later she was at Longchamp for the French 1000 Guineas and was just caught on the line by Darjina, an unbeaten homebred from the Aga Khans’ stable. The Irish star will hopefully be in the line-up for the Irish 1000 Guineas on Sunday (27th).
The 24 runner English 2000 Guineas, was won by the Olivier Peslier ridden Cockney Rebel. He picked up nicely, coming from last to first to beat Vital Equine a length and a half at a tasty 25/1.
The Irish dominated the French 2000 Guineas by taking the first four places, the honours going to the Aidan O’Brien trained Royal Astronomer. One to take from the race was Excellent Art, with Jamie Spencer find- ing all sorts of trouble in running.
Dylan Thomas continued his winning ways by easily taking the Prix Ganay at Longchamp. He now heads for The Curragh on Sunday (27th) for the 10f G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.
It’s been a while since Champion trainer, Henry Cecil took a Classic, but he has a great chance in this years Oaks with his Dansili filly, Passage of Time. Although in season, carrying a 3lb penalty and a throat abscess, she was a convincing winner of the G3 Musidora over 10f at York and is now quoted around 6/4 for the big middle distance Classic.
Also at York was Authorized in the Dante, a Derby prep race for Epsom. Brought by Dettori to challenge 2 out, he put the race away without fuss for a comfortable four length win. Although retained by Godolphin, their jockey has been released to maintain the partnership for the big race on June 2, where he is the strong 6/4 favourite.
Down under, New Zealand trainer Mark Walker found the winners enclosure at Doomben (Brisbane, Aus) with his smart Giant’s Causeway filly Santagostino, in the 10f Doomben Roses, a G3 for 3yo fillies. What’s interesting about this filly is, she’s owned by Peter and Philip Vela, who in turn bred and raced the very useful mare Ethereal, winner of the Caulfield Plate/Melbourne Cup double in 2001. Watch this one follow her path.
The G1 Doomben Cup over 10f, was billed as a straight match between strong favourite Desert War and new kid on the block, Reigning To Win, with the others making up the numbers.
The result was more reminiscent of the English Grand National, with big prices in Cinque Centro, Gaze and Pentathlon filling the first three places. The result hit punters hard, but it was a sweet victory for owner, Stewart Ramsey, who lost his 18yo daughter
Sherilee to natural causes two weeks prior. After fighting out a great finish in the G1 Jacob’s Creek over 6f at Doomben, both Bentley Biscuit and Takeover Target remain on course for their trip to Royal Ascot in June. That’s another G1 for Gai Waterhouse whose horses are in seemingly in unstoppable form this season. A Royal Ascot date is also on the cards for Melbourne speedster Miss Andretti. She has claimed four G1 sprints this season. There will certainly be plenty of interest should these line up against Irish speed merchant Dandy Man, in both the G2 Kings Stand Stakes (5f) on the Tuesday and the G1
Golden Jubilee Stakes (6f) on the Saturday.
Up a bit in Hong Kong, big race Irish jockey Mick Kinane landed a valuable G1 double aboard Viva Pataca in the Audemars QE II Cup and Able One in the Champions Mile. According to many, the former race only concerned two horses, Admire Moon and Vengeance of Rain, but they hadn’t factored in Kinane at his best and it was his quality in the saddle that perhaps determined the outcome.
Kinane was allowed to dictate in front on Able One and quickened nicely when asked to take his race, making it a 1-2 for trainer John Moore.
Shadow Gate made it a 1-2 for Japan in the Singapore Airlines International Cup over 12f at Kranji on soft ground. Last season’s win- ner, Cosmo Touch stayed on well for second and the French trained raider, Doctor Dino was a nose back in third. Doctor Dino has the Canadian International penciled into his diary for later in the season according to his trainer Richard Gibson.
Meanwhile, across in India, there was another notable performance worth a mention.
Having been on the go since her 2yo days, 4yo Haunting Memories proved far too good for some decent performers in the 7f G3, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup at Bangalore in India, a commendable effort as she was carrying topweight of 132lbs and giving away 5lbs plus to her nearest rival on soft ground.
India now has a base of owners and breeders focused on improving the quality of stock in their country and in the future, will start to stretch their legs on a global scale. Expect to see them represented more in the big European, Asian and the Middle Eastern races in forthcoming years..........and probably with success!!
After a national record-breaking victory by unbeaten 3yo gelding Mythical Flight in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint (1000m) at Turffontein, This, the fastest horse in South African racing history is likely bound for Europe later in the season. France's Prix de l'Abbaye is the probable target before heading off to Hong Kong in December. He clocked 54.96sec, making it his seventh win in succession. The Group 1 Golden Horse Sprint is his next target, where he has topweight of 132lbs and a strong field to put away. His sire Jet Stream, was only one of three horses to win the race carrying topweight in the last decade and did it twice!! Trainer Sean Tarry summed up: "He's a very exciting horse, but we won't know how good he is until he's raced against some of the best in the world."
Rakeen, a result of a noble mating in 1986 between Northern Dancer and Glorious Song, was recently euthanised at Lammerskraal Stud in South Africa recently due to infirmities from a knee injury. He was a half brother to Canadian International winner Singspiel and also top class Rahy.
Dual Breeders Cup Turf winner, High Chaparral will not be standing in New Zealand this year. Although well supported in NZ, the winner of both the English and Irish Derbies will remain in Ireland at Coolmore.