Harden horse owners, breeders and trainers have been celebrating over the last couple of weeks with those celebrations set to continue. Chris Heywood claimed an unlikely second placing in the Albury Gold Cup over 2000m on March 18, with 4 year old gelding High Opinion, picking up $34,000 for his efforts. Ridden by Nick Heywood at Albury, he will now partner the horse at Randwick in the SCHWEPPES CHAIRMAN’S HANDICAP in Race 3 at 1:20pm.
Nick Heywood will be competing for the 1st place prize of $180,000 over 2600 metres in Race 3.
Chris Heywood was unlucky last year with his third placing at Wagga meaning he was an emergency for the final of the Country Championships in 2015. He will have classy runner Mitchell Road line up in this year’s final, which will be held at 1:55 pm. He managed to go one better in 2016 by claiming second place with Mitchell Road on February 27 ensuring his place in the final field.
Lily Coombe will ride Mitchell Road at 1:55pm in Race 4 over 1400m, 1st prize worth $210,000 in the Final of the Country Championships.
The Brett Cavanough trained Steakandbernaise was a fast finishing first placing in the heat meaning both horses will represent the Murrumbidgee Turf Club this weekend. Heywood told the Twin Town Times “Mitchell Road has been enormous this preparation. He ran out the 1400 metres well and there is no reason why he can’t be in it at the finish. He has been travelling so well and anything could happen on the day. The prizemoney will be shared across the field with the first 6 horses recieving a nice purse whilst those horses which place from 7th place to 10th will receive $2,500 for their efforts. Horses 11th to 16th will take home $2,000 each with a BOBS Bonus of $20,000.
Local horse Single Gaze claimed the 2000m Vinery Stud Stakes on Saturday. This is on the back of Reldas, part owned by Mick, Judy and Bec Shea taking out the 1200m Simpson Construction Stakes (Kell Cup) 2 weeks ago. Canberra trainer Nick Olive claimed his first group 1 with Single Gaze and Redbank North who owns a part share in Single Gaze and who bred the filly, shared in the $300,000 in prize money. Redbank North retained a share in Single Gaze when she sold for $70,000 at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2014. She has since gone on to have 13 starts including 3 wins, 3 second placings and 2 third placings. In her stakes racing career she has had 8 starts for 2 wins and 2 seconds. The most impressive aspect of Single Gaze’s career is that she has stepped up in distance from 1100m in November 2014 to 2000m on Saturday. Kathy O’Hara has been given the permanent ride on the filly and has ridden her to 2 wins and 2 seconds in her last 4 rides. Big things are expected of Single Gaze next weekend with connections nominating her for 3 races at Randwick on Saturday April 9. She has been nominated for the Group 1 Open weight for age. Race 4 over 1600m ($1 Million dollars prize money) The James Boags Premium Australian Oaks, Race 3, 2400m Set Werights for fillies ($1 Million dollars prize money) and the Longines Queen Elizabeth stakes worth $4 million. 60 horses have nominated for the Longines with Single Gaze not out of her league if she is accepted based on recent efforts. She is up there with some of the best horses in the country. Single Gaze is proving to be a top line horse. She can run distance races and with $1,178,300 from her 13 starts. She is averaging $90,638 each time she leaves the barrier. Something which would be putting a big smile on the faces of connections.
Local trainer Mark Cummins is proving his ability in the training profession after he made it 3 wins from her last 3 starts with Living Fire. The 6 year old mare saluted the winning post at Ardlethan over 1000m on March 19. It is the 3rd time Ricky Blewitt has steered the chestnut home after not riding her in her previous 24 starts. Blewitt has also ridden stablemate Sergeant Bilko in his last 3 starts. The 8 year old took out the Yass Cup on February 27 and followed that win up with a second placing at Tottenham on March 5 and another at Crookwell on March 12. The stable of 2 allows Mark the ability to focus on his runners which he has told the Twin Town Times was an interest that has turned in to a lot of fun. ‘Bilko’ has returned owners $71,000 during his career and the big gelding looks like he will continue to perform well as he ages. Another 8 year old proved that age is no barrier when Bufferring claimed the dominant win in the Group 1 US $1m Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) at Meydan in Dubai last Saturday night. After playing second and third fiddle to super horse Black Caviar and her bridesmaid, Haylist, Bufferring is now making his mark.
Scott Spackman may not have a runner in the Championships at Randwick this weekend, however, he isn’t letting that stop him from winning races. Spackman took 6 year old mare Treasure Peace to Ardlethan on Saturday March 19 and took home with him the Ardlethan Cup. She is now 2 from 3 since coming in to Scott’s care after winning at Corowa on March 13. With 13 starts under her belt for 3 wins and 2 placings Scott looks like he has the touch to get the best out of her.
