ROB'S SHOUT - WILD WEATHER, WINNERS AND NEW TCO2 MEASURES AS WE GEAR UP FOR THE SUMMER SEASON
By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, November 22, 2012
Robert Heathcote is the leading racehorse trainer in Brisbane. 'Rob's Shout' - the personal blog of the multi-premiership and Group 1 winning trainer will appear every Thursday on HRO.
I thought I had seen it all with the wild weather that Queensland can throw at us but last Saturday's 20 minute storm was the most ferocious that I have experienced at my stables.
I have to admit it did get a bit scary there for a while and whilst I suffered a bit of minor flooding to a few boxes and a fair bit of debris thrown about the place, I got off light compared to our old mate Kelly Schweida.
They were 'surfing' down the lane-ways of his stables as he copped over a metre of flooding through his joint no less than three times over the weekend.
Some have suggested his horses will be better in the wet now!
Remedial flood control work has been carried out so interesting to see how he fares next storm?
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Of course the horses can do it a bit tough during a violent storm like that, but being stabled is a far better alternative than being out in the paddock running loose.
We lost a valuable filly in a storm last year as she spooked and fell during a storm and broke her leg. I know Kevin Thomas at Washpool is always fearful when these storm cells pass through his property at Aratula and it’s always with apprehension he patrols the paddocks the morning after a storm!
Back at the stables it's just a matter of trying to be there and calm the horses as best you can but that's basically all you can do, just be there and hope your presence is enough to reassure and pacify the horses.
Immediately after the storm it was a busy period cleaning up the stables and of course replacing the sodden box bedding for those affected. Work we could have done without but as I always say, 'it could have been worse'!
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I was quite amazed at how well the track at Eagle Farm played last week. It certainly raced a lot better than anticipated and just goes to show the difference between steady soaking rain and a sharp storm burst.
In fact, in spite of the fact that 135m fell on the tracks over the weekend the Eagle Farm track was excellent to gallop on Tuesday and Doomben played brilliant on Wednesday .
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I flew down to Melbourne last Monday for the Racing Victoria Media Association Personality awards luncheon where I once again got to view first-hand the latest celebration of the life and times of Black Caviar.
It was perhaps unusual for a horse to win the award, but she sure did capture the hearts and imagination of the entire nation during the year.
It was a very enjoyable luncheon with excellent company including most of the great mare’s team. Col Madden said they were delighted to see Black Caviar acknowledged with such a prestigious award.
"What we have come to learn is that as much she is our horse as owners, she is the people’s and industry's horse and we are just the lucky ones in the race book," Madden said.
He indicated the mare was likely to return to racing chasing win number 23 in the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington on February 16, with a farewell tour well and truly on the drawing board.
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My stable enjoyed a successful day out at Doomben during the week.
We saddled up four winners on the card and we were perhaps stiff not to win another with Magic In Motion charging to the line to just miss out after being momentarily held up in the first!
It is always very satisfying to have days like that but it really is only reward for all the hard work and patience to get the horses to that stage.
Two great examples of that are Tail And All and Endless Shadow. Fair to say that both of these horses were only moderate performers in their early days but, now that they have matured, they are both racing in career best form enjoying multiple wins this preparation.
The staff get a real kick out of their success and Debbie Petersen, well, she just loves her Superman as she calls Tail And All and there's always a few tears in her eyes when 'Super' gets it done!
Great stuff indeed.
The Barr family are also immensely proud of their little 'Minnie' as Endless Shadow is called. They bred her and their daughter Katie rides her track work every day.
She really is only a pony but she does have the heart of a lion and she is bringing us a lot of joy as she gives her all each time she steps onto the race track!
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RQL released this important press release yesterday.
‘This weekend, Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) will commence the process for introducing the publication of analytical results for samples collected at race meetings.
It is planned that results will be available via the RQL website three weeks following their collection. The first results published will be collected at meetings this coming Saturday, and for all meetings thereafter.
Furthermore, the RQL board approved a policy position that will enable stewards to withdraw a horse from an event in which it is entered if they are reasonably satisfied the horse has an elevated level of TCO2 present in its system prior to the event.
Further information in relation to RQL's policy and the date it will come into effect will be provided to stakeholders in the near future.’
I like the fact that horses may be withdrawn prior to their race even if their readings are still under the permissible threshold.
It's essential that it be a total level playing field as punters must bet with confidence that all horses are competing on equal terms.
I applaud the new measures!
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It is another busy week end for the stable with racing at Ipswich on Friday, the metro meeting at Eagle Farm on Saturday and runners again on Sunday at The Sunny Coast!
The precursor to the 'Summer Racing Carnival' takes place on Saturday with the feature $100 000 Keith Noud Listed Quality being run over 1200 at the Farm.
It looks a very good race with a couple of genuine speedsters there in Audacious Spirit, Listen Son and even our own Excellantes who is back from a good Melbourne campaign.
My bloke will be vulnerable after his trip home and I have not done much with him since his return, but it certainly looks to be a good race on paper.
I hope the weather and track are kind to us as it looks like being a good card on Saturday.
Best of luck if you are having a punt and even better luck if you have a runner.
Cheers,
Robert
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