TASMANIAN RACEHORSE
0WNERS’ ASSOCIATION
JULY/AUGUST 2013
Included in this issue are the following:
HOW I WON THE CUP
TROA MEMBERSHIP
SCALE, TRACK RATINGS AND COMMENTS
PARASITE CONTROL
TASMANIAN OWNER/BREEDER
JOCKEY PROFILE
AWARDS NIGHT
STAKES INCREASE
HOW I WON
ORDEN TELLS TALE OF
CUP VICTORY
From the Horse’s Mouth
What a Cup Day. What a race. Phew! It
made me tired. My feet nearly killed me
but, of course, I’m happy about it all.
Despite the weather – mid-Summer, mind
you – the 1960 Hobart Cup was my goal.
It must have been. “St Albans” of the
“Mercury” told everyone beforehand as he
had told people about the winner of the last
Melbourne Cup.
I really had to bustle to win it and in a
photo-finish too.
And when I think of all the preparation
beforehand. Weeks of it. Swimming,
cantering, galloping and that grooming and
curry-combing. It really tickled my fancy at
times.
But my trainer, “Dick” Stevens, knew what
was best for me.
Off colour? No!
But there seemed
to be some idea that I was off colour on the
course. Well, if I looked sick, I did not feel
it. The veterinary examination before the
race settled that.
And fancy my starting price drifting from
sevens to 12’s and the totalisator paying
two pounds and sixpence for every 5/straight out, with a quinella dividend of
188/5/6.
When I paraded on that lovely springy
Elwick track among the other horses I
admit my blood pressure soared, but who
would not feel excited with 12,000 people
staring?
wearing, looking awkward, and sometimes
chasing those homburgs and bowlers.
But it was the Ivy League cap, worn with a
green lounge suit, that startled me. Maybe
it was the cap rather than the flowery
women’s hats that made me appear upset.
My owner and trainer had been wonderful
to me right through my preparation. They
worried for weeks and i could not let them
down.
And when the farrier in the “bird cage”
manicured my hooves and fitted those
expensive long-pointed shoes, I felt like the
ladies as they arrived on the lawn – ready
for anything.
I was jumping out of my skin as a by
stander remarked. Trained to the minute. I
must have looked the part because of the
money – the tenners and fivers, mind you –
that people were prepared to wager on me.
Probably there would have been more
money if that big punter had not lost his
roll of notes before he reached the course
instead of in the early races.
No, I strongly objected –and this is where
my Piping Time breeding came in. The line
had to be drawn somewhere. Nobody was
going to put their shirt on me.
I didn’t need it anyway. My Melbourne
jockey, Lyle Harbridge, had his own bright
coloured shirt of turquoise and cerise, plus
hid own weight, and a bag of lead as well.
As if that wasn’t enough to carry for 1 1/2
miles of the cup race.
Those women decked out in the most
glamorous model frocks – and the men
Not worried
AN HOBART CUP
STORY
When the starter, Mr. Geoff Nichols said
“Go” I could have kicked myself. It
definitely was not true that I stood
flatfooted, as someone said. I just felt
hemmed in in that starting stall. That was
all. But I wasn’t concerned nor was my
jockey. We had our instructions. We knew
what we were doing.
Then came the race itself and what a race.
And what some of the jockeys said to each
other and some of the horsres on the way
round I could never repeat, even in the best
racing circles.
If ever I was pleased to see a winning post
it was in that race.
And, believe it or not, in the scramble at the
finish, I clean forgot to look up at the
camera.
But it was like this. I just could not have
gone another yard. Those new shoes were
killing me.
That hill!
Worth it
For a while as we raced down past the
grandstand and the vast crowd all the
horses enjoyed the cheering, but that
Elwick hill at two furlongs.
But a moment’s rest and a visit from the
Governor (Lord Rowallan – he knows a
horse when he sees one – plus pats on the
neck from my lady owner Mrs. Long, and
the glances of admiration from the other
horse stalls soon put an end to my
tiredness.
I shall never forget it. Talk about a pull. It
was terrific, and me with 7.7 to carry. It felt
like a ton.
But my mind was made up and so,
apparently, was my jockey’s. The blighter
actually hit me with a whip so then I really
knew we had to win.
The trouble was that others, particularly
Volterra and Diamondale, had the same
idea. They were really persistent.
Thank goodness for my long neck. It
really helped.
As somebody said afterwards: “It was
worth it”.
Well it was worth one thousand five
hundred pounds and a gold cup to my
owners. As for me, well I expect to be on
clover from now on.
Written by Joe Cowburn and published in the
“Mercury” the following day
TROA MEMBERSHIP
TRO Annual Membership runs from 1st August, 2013 to 31st July, 2014
Single membership $50 per year
Double membership $75.00 per year
Application form enclosed
Benefits of Membership include:
- Free entry to Hobart races (even if you do not have a runner) except on
-
major race days
10% discount on cartage with Tasmanian Horse Transport
10% discount with Hyland colours
5% discount on equine products from all Roberts stores statewide
Discounts at OAMPS insurance
Inclusion on mailing list for quarterly Newsletter
Contact any of the following Committee Members
if you need further information:
Alison Archer (Chairperson) 0408357359 – David Adams (Vice-Chairman) 0419241445 – Elizabeth
Long (Treasurer) 0438602123 – Peter Maczi 62434163 – Alan Davidson -417922933 – Linda Hay
0407879767 – David Evans 0412816353 – Alan Howard 0418 132541 – Debbie Thompson
0417397687
SCALE, TRACK RATINGS AND
COMMENTS
(from TRC)
Fast 1 – dry hard track, firmer than a good
track
Good 2 – firm track with a reasonable grass
coverage, on the fast side of good
Good 3 – track with a good grass coverage
and cushion, ideal track, heading towards
dead
Dead 4 – track just with some give in it.
Shouldn’t affect any chances although on the
worse side of good
Dead 5 – reasonable amount of give in it, on
the better side slow and on the worse side of
dead
Slow 6 – not a badly affected track, but will suit
some horses more than others; just worse
than dead and into the slow range
Slow 7 – more rain affected track that will chop
out; on the better side of heavy
Heavy 8 – soft track that horses will get into
but not necessarily too wet
Heavy 9 – softer track getting into the squelchy
area. Genuine heavy
Heavy 10 – very soft and wet track. Heaviest
category
The following information on parasites is by
courtesy of the Gibson Veterinary Clinic
PARASITE CONTROL IN YOUR
HORSES
De-worm your horses regularly to control
internal equine parasites:
Small stronglyes are the most common
parasites in adult horses, They have the
ability to encyst inside the horse’s intestinal
wall for years at a time
Bots migrate through the mouth and into the
stomach where they can cause ulcers or
abscesses
Large strongyles or blood worms disrupt blood
flow to the intestines which can result in colic.
They also cause amnesia and brain damage
Roundworms mainly affect young horses.
They can cause pneumonia, intestinal
obstruction, colic and poor growth
Pinworms irritate the underside of the horse’s
tail and rectum, causing tail rubbing and hair
loss and weight loss.
Hairworms can cause watery diarrhea. They
live in the horse’s stomach and small intestine
Stomach worms live in the horse’s stomach
lining, causing gastric abscesses or
ulcerations
Tapeworms live at the junction of the small
and large intestine. They can cause colic,
intestinal obstruction and weight loss
He knows when you’re happy, he knows when you’re comfortable, he knows when you’re confident
And he always knows when you have carrots. Author Unknown
TASMANIAN OWNER/BREEDER
In this issue we feature Dr. John Burke – well known and popular Tasmanian breeder
and horse owner.
John first became interested in horses at the age of 22 when he met his future wife who
introduced him to horses and horse riding. At this stage he was still at medical school
and after graduation moved to North West Tasmania. Whilst there he began hunting
with the North West Hunt Club. This was followed by time with the Northern Hunt Club
and then the Midlands Hunt Club.
During this period he became interested in racing and training horses and in 1968 he
went to Warrnambool with Sandra and Owen Atkins who initially introduced him to
racehorses. He bought Silks Slippers and Saramain (the latter in partnership with the
Atkins) and this horse went on to run 1st in a Hunt Club race with Sandra Atkins in the
saddle.
In 1970 he went to the yearling sales and purchased Hiro Louise (by Swallowtail out of
Bois de Louise) and this horse went on to subsequently win the Tasmanian St. Ledger.
Hiro Louise was later joined to Poachers Moon and this joining resulted in Justin
Tomorrow which went on to win the Guineas.
After this John stayed out of racing for a while. Then, in 1992, he went to the Lindsay
Park sale in South Australia and purchased Lattakia and Don Zao – the latter going on to
win the Tasmanian Guineas, the Hobart Guineas and becoming 3 year old of the year.
Another of John’s horses, Family Tree (bought at the Tasmanian Yearling Sales) won
three races, ran 2nd in the Tasmanian Guineas and 3rd in the Oaks.
In 1998 he went to the Sydney Yearling Sale and purchased a grey filly - subsequently
named Georgia Miss. This filly won all her races in Tasmania (including the 3 YO Cup)
before going to Victoria and winning at Moonee Valley.
After going to stud Georgia Miss produced three well known progeny:
Kats Clause (by Weasel Clause)
Shanghi Pete (by Savoire Vivre)
Caladonian Miss (by Savoire Vivre)
All proving to be winners in style. Kats Clause won eight races, including the Group 3
Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield. After racing this mare went to stud and has produced
Miss Elizabeth, Mr. John (who has won 5 races in a row) and Sir Joey. Kats Clause has
also produced an unraced (as yet) filly by Dreamscape and a weanling by Tickets. At
present she is carrying a foal, also by Tickets.
John considers winning the Mannerism stakes probably his biggest thrill in racing and
Shanghi Pete probably the best horse he has bred. Unfortunately he broke down and
did not reach his full potential. And, overall, John prefers racing fillies and mares.
In his early days of racing Len Dixon trained for John followed by Royston Carr who
trains for him still. John thought highly of Len as a trainer, likewise Royston whom he
considers a great horseman, horse handler and trainer.
When resting his horses go to Armidale Stud whom, John said, have been very good to
him and his horses over the years and he has high regard for the care and feeding of his
horses at rest.
A wonderful bonus to the enjoyment obtained through owning horses for John is the
many friends he has made through his involvement in the industry.
His philosophy about thoroughbreds and racing?
It must be fun. Do not race horses unless able to afford the cost. Do not race horses
that lack ability as it costs the same to train a loser as to train a winner so cull
accordingly. Choose suitable races and do not expect horses to run outside their class.
John is a keen student of pedigrees and spends many hours studying breeding. He
believes nicks that have worked in the past will work again.
It is fitting, and very rewarding, that this lover of horses has been so successful in his
racing career. We are sure he has many more successes to come.
JOCKEY PROFILE
RASIT YETIMOVA
What prompted you to take up a career as a jockey?
A.
My dad’s mate gave me the idea. He said I would make a good jockey and that’s how it all
started.
You stared your riding career overseas?
A.
Yes, I was riding in Turkey for 12 months before coming to Australia. I went to Adelaide
and I was with David Hayes at Lindsay Park for 3 years before coming to Tasmania. When I
came to Tasmania I began my apprenticeship with Walter McShane at Broadmarsh.
You have
established
yourself here in
Tasmania as a
capable and
respected rider.
What would you
consider to be your
career highlights?
A.
Winning the
apprentice
jockey
premiership
and also
winning a
race in Perth
would also
be a
highlight.
Where do you see
yourself riding in
the future?
A.
I would like to try in Melbourne and also ride here in Tasmania as a senior jockey.
Other than winning the Melbourne Cup (probably every jockey’s dream) are there any other
aspirations in racing you would like to achieve?
A.
I’d like to win some good races here in Tasmania and picking up a Group 1 race would be
nice.
Is there anyone in racing circles that you would consider to be a role model?
A.
Yes, Dwayne Dunn – he’s a great rider and a good friend.
ALL OWNERS
TASMANIAN THOROUGHBRED RACING AWARDS
Friday, 30th August (7.00 for 7.30 pm) Country Club Launceston Tasmania
For booking call Lynn at Tasracing on 03 6212 9311
The Tasmanian Racehorse Owners Association is pleased to be donating a prize in
the Tasmanian Horse of the Year Awards (3 YO category)
Come an enjoy an evening with fellow owners and others involved in the industry.
STAKES INCREASES
The Thoroughbred Advisory network (TAN), of which TROA has three members
representing owners’ interests, recently met with Tasracing to ratify the
implementation of the thoroughbred stakes allocation for the 2013/2014 racing season.
It is pleasing to be able to report that following the discussions with Tasracing the
following outcomes have been achieved, commencing 1st December, 2013.
Maiden Class 1 – Benchmark 62 races – stakes held at $12,500.
Class 2 and Benchmark 68 races – stakes increase to $14,000.
Class 4 and Feature Days – steaks increase to $15,000.
Benchmark 78 races – stakes increase to $16,000.
Open races – Stakes increase to $17,500.
We are confident that if betting turnover can continue to improve a further increase can
be achieved commencing 1st August, 2014, for the year 2014/15 for all race grades.
If any member would like a detailed breakdown of prize money for the year please
contact us and we will be happy to forward it to you.
FRIENDS
CONTACT US IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER
DETAILS REGARDING TROA MEMBERSHIP
TELEPHONE: 0438 602123
0438 241445
TASMANIAN RACEHORSE
OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION