Say A Little Prayer
Get a cheap horse from up North, the fields are stronger up there. Send him down South, line him up in weaker company and start counting the cash. Too easy, Campese! Well, that’s the theory, anyway. To a dyed in the wool racing man, like myself, this is close to the best theory known to mankind.
It’s certainly a well tested theory with hordes of racing refugees being shuttled South each month. Of course, there have been mixed results but my true, blue racing man’s mind tells me it’s a sure thing and practically a licence to print money. My wife, God bless her, is less convinced but, shall we say, open to the possibility. A one time, tongue in cheek, assertion that I would make the financial decisions and she would wear the diamonds, has long since vanished into the sands of time, closely followed by the promised jewels.
By sheer good fortune, or more likely error of judgement, I already own a majority share in a horse battling for form up North. I was blessed with another stroke of luck when I made the late decision to renew my owner trainer’s licence for this season. Who knew that luck was so good at opening wallets and emptying pockets? Well, I did but still I continue to dabble. You know the old joke: How do you make a small fortune out of racing? Start with a big one.
Following careful thought and deep consideration of all the pros and cons I made an instant decision to give it a crack. Approximately 15 seconds after first entertaining the thought, I was on the phone to TFS Horse Transport to organise for our horse to head down South. The previous trainer was not surprised and had already indicated that the horse's future may lie South of Cook Strait, so there was no love lost there.
So just like that, 3 days after last racing I became his new trainer and the dream had begun. In typical style, I began to dream big. Thoughts of triple crown glory starting with the Melbourne and Caufield Cup double went fleetingly through my mind before I settled on a slightly more achievable 3rd leg, the time-honoured Gore Cup. With only wet track form, I wondered does it rain in Gore in January? Thankfully, as anyone, other than a paroquial Gorwegian, would tell you, wet weather and Gore are very close friends.
After looking promising in his debut season with 2 wins from 6 starts, he has failed to trouble the judge in 6 further attempts this year. His best recent effort was finishing 6/13 two starts back at Wanganui while his last race over 3210 metres at New Plymouth a fortnight ago resulted in a 10/14 finish in the Road To The Jericho. After pulling very hard in both these runs he was entitled to battle over the concluding stages, which he did.
So now, he comes South to me, bereft of form and a stranger to the winner’s circle. A rookie trainer with some lofty goals. Firstly, to freshen him up and be sharp enough to run (and win) over 1600 metres at Wingatui on the 20th October. This is a big ask for a horse coming back from 2 miles and some would say we will need a miracle. Look out for the next episode where I will reveal my masterplan and tell you more about Hallelujah Brother. With a name like that, the miracle just might happen.