Gai`s Gazette - Gai Waterhouse

GAI’S GAZETTE
16th Edition / DECEMBER 2014
Ooh La La...
Darley Flying Start trainee, Dane
Robinson, with outstanding sire Teofilo
at Kildangan Stud, Ireland
“Strange to think it has only been four months
since departing the team at Tulloch Lodge. I can
assure you it feels like a lifetime ago.
Some wise words from Darley Flying Start
graduates and current Gai Waterhouse Racing
employees Adrian Bott and Emma Pearce before
starting the course, continually bounce around my
head. “It’s the equivalent of ten years of industry experience, crammed into two.” The pace
at which the course moves leaves you dizzy at
times, but there is no other way you’d prefer it.
Since arriving on August 18 we have managed
to complete the first Irish phase of the course
which included equine anatomy and physiology
modules at the University College of Dublin,
Irish industry assignments and a trainee led
conference to leaders of the Irish thoroughbred
industry, including Horse Racing Ireland’s Chief
Executive, Brian Kavanagh. Not to mention the
mornings spent assisting with the breaking in of
yearlings, working with stallions, vets, farriers
and dentists at Darley’s picturesque Kildangan
Stud, and sitting in on lectures from industry
leaders throughout the afternoons.
All of this whilst attending some of the major
bloodstock sales and the world’s best race meetings including the Irish and British Champion’s
Weekends. What more could you ask for?
One of the highlights during our time so far has
been our trip to Paris for Europe’s richest race,
the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Organised by our
French contingent on the course, former GWR
employee Fanny Cypres, we spent the Saturday
before the ‘Arc’ touring the Chantilly training
grounds with France Galop and were fortunate
enough to spend the morning watching Criquette
Head Maarek’s string, which included Treve
completing her final piece of work before her
successful ‘Arc’ defence the following day. You
could not have written a better script. This is just
one of the many stories I’ll be telling for the rest
of my life and all in only four months, I couldn’t
possibly fit them all into 750 words.
But please, do not leave reading this piece
thinking that the course is all travel and sight-seeing. There is study involved, along with a lot of
hands on work and lectures. It has been one of the
the busiest times in my life so far. You quickly realise that managing your time effectively
between study, work and your personal life is
essential to making the most out of the incredible
opportunities that we are presented with each and
every day.
Kildangan Stud General Manager and Darley
Flying Start graduate, Gerry Duffy, likened the
workload of the course as equivalent to his experience working full time for WinStar
Farm in the US and completing his Masters of Business Administration at the same
time.
You certainly need to bring a mature and committed approach if you are looking
to apply. For example, at the time of writing this piece I had just completed the
week breaking in yearlings at Hamilton Hill, under the care of Darley Flying Start
graduate and former GWR Racing Manager, Kate Grimwade, before spending
the Saturday morning with Luca Cumani watching his horses work up the famous
Warren Hill at Newmarket. This led straight into an afternoon of all-weather racing
at Lingfield Park, before catching a train to London to see family Saturday night,
then back on the train to spend Sunday at our Dalham Hall Stud training room
completing our UK industry assignment which consisted of team debates on current
industry topics. Where else in the world are you going to fit experience like this into
one weekend?
I am sure you will have noticed through reading this piece the links between the
course and Gai Waterhouse Racing and there is a reason for it. Not only does Gai
support the course by employing graduates, which currently includes Adrian Bott,
Emma Pearce, Chris Armstrong and Jack Davison, but she encourages young people
to apply to the course as well, understanding the opportunity that the course brings
to individuals who are serious about committing themselves to a future in the thoroughbred industry.
The 2014-2016 trainee group is represented by no less than three out of twelve
former GWR employees. Mimi Wadham from the UK, the aforementioned Fanny
Cypres and yours truly. Some strike rate considering the course takes in applicants
from all over the world and that Australian Racing’s leading lady only handed out
three references for the 2014-2016 intake.
I think it’s fair to say that as famed as she is for fine-tuning young thoroughbreds,
she certainly has a track record for furnishing young individuals as well. You only
need to see the average age of her office team to see that Gai takes an active interest
in the development of future industry leaders and I am certainly grateful for the time
spent working her. It’s fair to say that I would not be in the fortunate position I am
today without the help of Gai and all the team GWR.” ▣
Cover photo: Mark Gatt
GAI’S GAZETTE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEf
Lea Stracey
CONTRIBUTORS
Gai Waterhouse
Zeb Armstrong
Lea Stracey
Madison Whant
Petrea Vela
Susanna Bradshaw
Su-Ann Khaw
Graphic design & layout
Madison Whant
[email protected]
chief photographer
Bradley Photographers
www.bradleyphotos.com.au
Editorial Photographer
Amanda Wood
Need for Steed Aus
www.needforsteed.com.au
Advertisers
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Magic Millions
Widden
David Kobritz: Musk Creek Farm
Marcus Oldham College
Newhaven Park Stud
Emirates Park Stud
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Yarraman Park Stud
Ambassador Travel
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Thoroughbred Content
Karisma Optometrist
Bradley Photographers
Darley Flying Start
New Zealand Bloodstock
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Academy
Foundation for National Parks
and Wildlife
Advertising Manager
Ric Chapman
[email protected]
PrINTERS
Graphic Impressions
4
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W
hat an impressive win
on the last day of the
Melbourne Carnival
at Sandown for Gai’s
French import Pornichet. Certainly a
win full of portent for next year. It definitely deserved a front cover photo and
the performance of the month, as Zeb
writes. Our focus at this time of the year
has been on staying horses and both Zeb
and Petrea have some very interesting
facts and figures in their articles that underline the value and worth of our own
home-bred stayers, particularly those
from New Zealand sires. I know Bruce
Slade and James Harron are at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run sales looking
for the next Derby winner as we go to print. How else can one win a Derby in Australia? It can only be with a three-year-old horse and this is more likely to come from our
neighbours across the Tasman. We shouldn’t forget the Kiwi imports who have run in
the Melbourne Cup and crossed the line, often first, and also often within the first six,
year after year. You will be amazed to read that the great Zabeel has now emulated his
father, Sir Tristram, in achieving his 44th individual Group 1 winner – an extraordinary
statistic!
This month, I am pleased to introduce a new regular contributor to our magazine,
Coty Farquhar. Coty lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands and after years working
on the editorial team of magazines like Vogue Living she has started an online style
magazine. Her perspectives on style and beauty I’m sure, will complement the content
of our magazine and will offer another dimension of information for you, our readers.
We welcome back Su-Ann Khaw who will also write regularly about her experiences
in racing on the world-wide stage with some hints and titbits should we wish to follow
in her footsteps. It was refreshing to read Madison’s article on Melbourne Cup day at
Randwick. Melbourne Cup week is such a fantastic week of racing and for those who
can’t make it down to Melbourne it’s wonderful to see the parallel activities at racecourses across the country that celebrate this iconic week of racing.
While the year is coming to a close with Christmas just around the corner, there are
still studs to visit before sale time at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast in early
January. Gai is very enthusiastic about what she has seen but more of this in the next
edition. In the meantime I wish you all good things for the festive season.
‘Til next time.
Lea
Editor-in-Chief
Contents
James McDonald and Pornichet
Page 4
Photo by Need for Steed Aus
Photo by Mark Gatt
Adam Hyeronimus and
Caped Crusader
Page 16
Photo by Need for Steed Aus
The team
Page 6 Performance of the Month:
Pornichet... by Zeb Armstrong
Pages 8-9 From the Pen of the Lady Trainer
Pages 10-12
Zabeel - His Amazing Contribution to Staying Races in Australia... by Zeb Armstrong
Pages 14-15
Gai, Rob and the Forgotten Koalas of the Southern Highlands... by Susanna Bradshaw
Pages 16-18
Randwick on Cup Day... by
Madison Whant
Page 20
A Kiwi Flavour to Cup Week... by Petrea Vela
Pages 24-27
Styling - Capturing the Beauty Within... by Lea Stracey
Pages 28-30
#SummerLikeANomad... by Su-Ann Khaw
Pages 32-34
Melbourne Cup - A Week Long Affair... by Zeb Armstrong
Page 36 And from You...
Page 37 Track Snaps... by Amanda Wood
Pages 38-39 Recent Winners
Page 40 The Australian Racing and Equine Academy
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
5
Performance of the Month:
Pornichet
By Zeb Armstrong
A
fter just a few weeks in Australia, the exciting French entire
import, Pornichet (Vespone
x Porza) is already a Group
3 winner and the French 2000 Guineas
placegetter is only just getting started. Two
weeks after a scintillating Aussie debut
behind eventual Emirates Stakes winner
Hucklebuck, Gai managed to find the
perfect race for Pornichet. The Sandown
Stakes over 1500m on the big Hillside
track. About 400m after the start, the entire
looked to have the race at his mercy. He
travelled nicely for James McDonald and
despite winning by just a neat length, the
margin may have been bigger had the entire
have been on his best behaviour.
Pornichet is a big baby. He is a fouryear-old, but in Australian terms he is still a
three-year-old. He has had ten starts spread
over three continents, and now that the
Lady Trainer has a hold of him, it is hard
to see him doing anything but improving.
In the straight at Sandown Pornichet had a
little bit of a look around, but when needed,
the entire pinned his ears back and fought
well to the line. He jogged up to his rivals,
and once he had put them away, he may
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tire certainly did not let the punters down.
In fact those that backed the son of Vespone
could be forgiven had they lined up in the
bookies payout line well before the home
straight. Pornichet was travelling beautifully, those behind were under the whip and
those in front looked as if they were tiring.
James McDonald hit the front early, and despite a little bit of star gazing by the entire,
Pornichet was never in danger.
Congratulations to all the owners of Pornichet. He is already a Group winner, and
he has a stack of improvement left in him
and a huge autumn and next spring in front
of him. Immediately after the race, the press
wanted a Fiorente comparison, but Gai,
rather than anoint the entire as the ‘second
coming’ simply stated that she can’t wait
to get to the bottom of the entire and work
him out completely. Almost every European
horse that Gai has purchased has improved
over time. Considering this fact, and the
fact that Pornichet is already a Group winner Down Under, we can start to get very
excited about the former Frenchmen and his
future in the Autumn. Pornichet is a very
deserving winner of this issue’s Performance of the Month award. ▣
Photo by Mark Gatt
Happy owners celebrating Pornichet’s win at Sandown
have just taken his foot off the accelerator
for a few strides. With a full preparation
ahead under the care of Gai, he certainly
will not be doing this again. Pornichet is an
example, like Fiorente was, of a horse that
can land in Australia from abroad and fall
straight into the Lady Trainer’s routine. Gai
needed very little time with Pornichet to
teach him how to win early in his Australian career. These former Europeans have
a habit of improving remarkably under
Gai’s watch, and with Pornichet already
being a Group winner, the sky is the limit in
regards to this entire’s Aussie career. There
are very exciting times ahead indeed for
his owners and admirers.There is a chance
that Pornichet could have been unbeaten
in Australia. To explain, first up over the
unsuitable 1400m, the entire was held up
in the straight on more than one occasion.
After finally getting out, he stormed to
the line to be defeated just one length by
Hucklebuck, who seven days later won
the Emirates Stakes. Had this first up race
in Australia been 50m longer, Pornichet
would have won. After this stunning debut,
it is little wonder that Pornichet was close
enough to even money at Sandown. The en-
Photo by Jamie Payne
A sneak peak at our 2014 stud tours...
From the Pen of the
Lady Trainer
Going back in history and reminding myself of things is great for monumental
generation defining events, but in regards to racing I tend to follow TJ’s philosophy...
W
hen you stop and think,
how many events in your
life do you actually remember where you were, what
you were doing and what time and date it
was? The birth of your children? Yes. Your
wedding? Of course, but what else? Anyone
who was old enough to remember will be
able to tell you where they were and what
they were doing when JFK was assassinated. TJ had just come back from the track
and he told my mother and I that President
Kennedy was dead. I grabbed my dear
mother and she grabbed me back and we
sobbed. Kennedy believed in freedom and
a new era and it was a very exciting time
for the world. His death ignited a passion
worldwide that perhaps has only since been
emulated by the love shown for Nelson
Mandela. Over the last twenty four hours
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(at the time of writing) Rob and I have been
following the trail of that fateful November
day some 51 years ago. President Kennedy
was greatly admired and his attempt to
usher in a new and progressive era excited
the masses. We visited the Texas School
Book Depository on Elm Street, Dealey
Plaza, Dallas, Texas and the hairs on your
spine certainly stand up when you are in
a place that is so significant to modern
history. Every nation on earth mourned
President Kennedy. The world stood still to
pay respects to the young President.
The other event that many of us remember was the moon landing in 1969. I still
remember Neil Armstrong taking those first
steps and his famous quote “one small step
for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” It
still makes me smile thinking about this.
Going back in history and reminding
myself of things is great for monumental
generation defining events, but in regards
to racing, I tend to follow TJ’s philosophy.
TJ rarely looked back because the past to
him equated to hardship and poverty. He
looked forward and was always very positive about the future (with good reason). If
one of my horses loses at a short price or
if I get nabbed on the post I learn from my
mistakes, but that is about all you can do.
If you play it back in your head over and
over again, then you end up bitter. Bitter at
jockeys, bitter at other runners. Being bitter
does not change the result. All that you can
do is forgive and forget and learn how to go
one better next time. I am very forgiving of
jockeys. They have a split second to make
decisions and they don’t always pull the
right rein.
Wind played a huge role at fabulous
Flemington for this year’s four day carnival. For the first three days, the wind was
gusting into the horses’ faces and barely
a front runner was fighting out the finish.
Then, come Stakes day, a gentle tail breeze
blew the front runners home. We had been
battling a head wind for three days, then
all of a sudden the horses up the front were
getting blown to victory. I am often asked
if I give instructions to my jockeys. The
answer is no. I give advice, in that I suggest
who the main dangers are and where they
will be in the run. I also discuss with the
jockeys what the wind is doing. As I am
putting pen to paper, I have just got off the
phone with champion hoop Craig Williams.
Craig is one of the best and his opinion is
much valued. He takes the time to analyse
his mounts and he thoroughly does his
form. Another who I have had great success
with is Damien Oliver, who like Craig,
leaves no stone unturned in his quest for
victory. It is very important that my jockeys
come to trackwork and ride my horses.
They can’t be going into races blind having
never even seen their mounts. After partnering horses at trackwork, a jockey can detail
with intimate knowledge, their thoughts to
owners in the mounting yard before races.
Then a hoop can try and get the best result
for all concerned as he knows the capability
of his mount.
I have witnessed that the best training
ground for jockeys is Hong Kong. My stable hoop Tommy Berry came back a much
better rider after his stints in Hong Kong.
Tommy is so professional in everything he
does and it is little wonder he quickly ascended to become one of the leading riders
in Hong Kong within the blink of an eye.
Joao Moreira won a race for me over the
Sydney Spring Carnival. A finer jockey
This piece of historic memorabilia hangs in the head office of Gai’s Gazette
“Joao Moreira won a race for me over the Sydney
Spring Carnival. A finer jockey I have not seen for
quite some time. His balance is extraordinary and
balance is the all-offensive quality that an athlete
requires...”
I have not seen for quite some time. His balance is extraordinary and balance is the
all-offensive quality that an athlete requires. I have almost finished my early stud tours and
I forget about the pedigree page at this time of year and simply look for an equine with
balance. A horse needs to be able to put its feet down and know where it is going and it has
to be able to do this early in life. In a race, if a horse gets a bump, it has to be able to retain
its balance in order to win. All the best horses I have ever trained have had exceptional
balance. All the best athletes both equine and human have exceptional balance, and this
trait takes an athlete a long way.
Well I best get back to trying on my cowboy boots. Yes that is what I am doing as I put
pen to paper here in Texas. See you in the Winner’s Circle. Gai. ▣
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
9
Zabeel
His Amazing Contribution to Staying
Races in Australia
Zeb Armstrong pays tribute to Zabeel’s prowess as a great sire now that the son of Sir
Tristram has retired from stud duties...
Zabeel and Sir Patrick Hogan
“Once every now and then a stallion comes along
that defines a generation of thoroughbreds. Zabeel
is such a stallion. Discussing Zabeel’s all-time statistics is slightly difficult, because while he has been
retired from stud duties, he is still producing winners
and even Group 1 winners...”
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A
t the time of print, Zabeel has
produced 44 individual Group
1 winners that have won a total
of 85 Group 1 races. All this
from a horse that won just seven races himself, none of which were in Sydney or even
at Caulfield. Zabeel’s greatest successes on
the track were at Flemington and Moonee
Valley. The super sire won the Group 1
Australian Guineas at Flemington and two
other Group 2 races at Moonee Valley.
However, as Sir Patrick Hogan has detailed
in a previous edition, the stallion’s results
were secondary to the blood that flowed
through his veins courtesy of his sire, the
great Sir Tristram. Zabeel was destined for a
life at stud from the moment he showed he
could gallop.
Zabeel has sired many champions including Hall of Fame members Octagonal and
Might And Power and Hong Kong immortal
Vengeance of Rain. From Octagonal came
Lonhro and from Lonhro came Pierro. We
are yet to see what comes from Pierro, but
the odds are stacked heavily in favour of
at least a champion or two coming from
the glamour colt. Along with the two
above-mentioned immortal champions, Zabeel has also brought us Efficient, the only
horse apart from Phar Lap to win the VRC
Derby, then the Melbourne Cup in the following year. Jezabeel joins Might And Power and Efficient as a Melbourne Cup winner
that was sired by Zabeel. As well as Might
And Power, Zabeel also sired Caulfield Cup
winners Sky Heights and Railings. Again,
as well as Might And Power and Octagonal, the great stallion brought us Cox Plate
winners Savabeel and Maldivian.
The 44 individual Group 1 winners that
Zabeel has sired include three Gai trained
HINCHINBROOK
•
•
HINCHINBROOK
Three-quarter brother to leading sire Snitzel,
a leading 1st & 2nd Season Sire
Brilliant 2YO – won first two starts – including
first colt home in Golden Slipper (4th)
Recent progeny include;
•
Carriages – winner of Magic Millions 2YO
Clockwise Classic Ballarat – trained by Gai
•
Old Trieste - 2nd Maribynong Plate - Flemington
•
Brooklyn – developing colt trained by Gai
MAGIC ALBERT
•
•
•
MAGIC ALBERT
Total outcross from Danehill and Sir Tristam
Sire of 4 Group 1 winners; including Ilovethiscity,
Albert the Fat
Ready to Run NZ Sale 2015 – 2yr olds avg
$200,000 ($NZ)
Recent progeny include;
•
Bundle of Joy – Group 3 winner in Hong Kong,
trained by David Hall – beating Amber Sky,
Sterling City and Charles the Great
I AM INVINCIBLE
•
•
•
I AM INVINCIBLE
Champion 1st Season Sire
Current leading 3YO Sire of winners
48.7% runners to winners
(as at 24/11/14 - Breednet)
Recent progeny include;
•
BRAZEN BEAU – Group 1 winner of Coolmore
Stakes – beating Earthquake, Rubick, Rich Enuff
•
Fulds Bet / Vinnie Eagle / Bassillique / Leeds
– Stakewinners in Aust & NZ
•
Silent Whisper – talented South Australian 3YO
– 12 starts – 4 wins
Check out the Yarraman Magic Millions draft at
www.yarramanpark.com.au
ICE MANAGER
T: (02) 6545 1961 | E: [email protected]
Zabeel - His Amazing Contribution to Staying Races in Australia cont...
Zabeel at Cambridge stud
horses that have won a total of four Group
1 races for the Lady Trainer. The gun filly
Zacheline won the South Australian Oaks
and the Queensland Oaks for Gai in 1998.
Dress Circle gave Gai her sixth Metropolitan Handicap (she now has eight!) and
Shower of Roses won the then Arrowfield
Stakes over 2000m in 2003.
One of the most consistent mares to come
through Tulloch Lodge was a daughter of
Zabeel named Winning Belle. Winning
Belle never won a Group 1 race, but her
career achievements more than made up
for this. Consider. The filly was a Listed
winner at two over 1400m, before winning the Queensland Guineas at three. In
her 2004 winter campaign, the then filly
also ran third in the Queensland Oaks and
fourth in the Queensland Derby. As a mare,
Winning Belle won the Group 3 Canterbury
Cup, but perhaps her greatest achievement
occurred when she didn’t win, but rather
ran second. In the 2005 Australian Cup
over the famous ten furlongs at Flemington
(2000m), Winning Belle was a $14 outsider.
This is not surprising considering the field
contained the likes of Elvstroem, Lad of the
Manor and the great Makybe Diva. It was
a star studded affair and despite doing her
absolute best, Winning Belle was eventually run down and beaten just under a
length by Makybe Diva. This race was not
only the fastest Australian Cup ever, but it
still remains the fastest 2000m ever run at
Australia’s home of racing, Flemington.
It took a champion in course-record time
to beat Winning Belle on this day, but that
is what we have come to expect from this
Zabeel breed.
It is not often published, but Gai is the
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second most successful trainer of Zabeel’s
ever, and with several Zabeel’s in work, Gai
has a chance to become the greatest trainer
ever of the generation defining breed. Including the three Group 1 winners, Gai has
trained (at this stage) 39 individual Zabeel
winners that have won a total of 105 races.
The Lady Trainer just needs the likes of Tohunga and the jumper Valediction to string
together a few races and she may end up the
most successful all-time trainer of Zabeels.
73.6% of Gai’s Zabeels that have run have
won. This is by far the best winners to
runners percentage of the trainers that have
trained over 100 Zabeel sired winners.
Sir Tristram – Zabeel - Octagonal –
Lonhro – Pierro. There may not be a stronger bloodline in Australian racing. With
Gai, as we speak, running her eye over the
Pierros that will soon be being auctioned
off to the highest bidder, the line looks set
to continue. Zabeel is already in the New
Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. He sits in
there with the likes of Rising Fast, Tulloch,
Phar Lap, Carbine and Redcraze despite
having won just a single Group 1 race. This
demonstrates just what this stallion has
done for racing worldwide. Zabeel will live
out his days as the happiest and most cared
for of thoroughbreds in a perfectly groomed
paddock at Cambridge Stud never too far
from his adoring owner, Sir Patrick Hogan.
We admire this great New Zealand sire
and sire of sires. He has contributed much
to the thoroughbred racing industry and will
be sorely missed at stud. The champion has
sired a generation of champions and his
sons and grandsons will continue to renew
the bloodline for many years to come both
in Australia and New Zealand. ▣
“Sir Tristram –
Zabeel - Octagonal –
Lonhro – Pierro. There
may not be a stronger
bloodline in Australian
racing. With Gai, as
we speak, running her
eye over the Pierros
that will soon be being
auctioned off to the
highest bidder, the line
looks set to continue.
Zabeel is already in
the New Zealand
Racing Hall of Fame.
He sits in there with
the likes of Rising Fast,
Tulloch, Phar Lap, Carbine and Redcraze despite having won just a
single Group 1... “
Gai, Rob and the Forgotten Koalas
of the Southern Highlands...
By Susanna Bradshaw, CEO of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
Koala spotted on
Mount Gibraltar in
October 2014—this
was the first ever
recorded sighting in
this bushland reserve!
Photo: Joe Stammers.
I
n April this year, Gai and Rob
Waterhouse were amazed to
find a Koala on their Southern
Highlands property.
Despite the Southern Highlands
being the location where Koalas
were reportedly first seen by
Europeans, little is known about this
unique Koala population.
Gai and Rob very kindly chose
to donate, via the Foundation for
National Parks & Wildlife, to support
local Koala monitoring efforts.
Incredibly, they also provided
space in ‘Gai’s Gazette’ free of charge
to encourage further support!
I’d like to invite you to join Gai
and Rob in supporting this much
needed Koala monitoring work.
Visit fnpw.org.au/sh-koalas. Will you
give a gift today?
A Brighter Future for the
Southern Highlands’ Koalas
Gai and Rob’s donation will be
used by the Office of Environment
and Heritage in partnership with
the Wingecarribee Shire Council
to purchase a GPS Koala collar, to
facilitate satellite tracking.
This will be part of a new project
to study Koalas in the Southern
Highlands. A total of ten GPS
tracking collars are needed, at $3,800
per collar.
This project aims to locate and
map Koala populations and map
key habitat and movement corridors
throughout the Wingecarribee Shire.
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This will give land managers the
information they need to make land
use decisions that ensure there is
sufficient habitat for Koalas to live,
breed and move about as they have
done for millennia.
Rediscovering a Well Kept Secret
Most people aren’t aware that
there are Koalas in the Southern
Highlands. In fact, the first Koala
sighted by Europeans was from near
Bargo, and the word ‘Colo’ in ‘Colo
Vale’ is an Aboriginal word for Koala.
For thousands of years Koalas
have lived in the catchments of the
Upper Nepean, in the Southern Blue
Mountains and on the fertile plateau,
however things are changing.
The tall forests from Mittagong
to Bundanoon were cleared for
grazing long ago, roads criss-cross
the Highlands and every year there
are more fences, dogs and more
trucks travelling down the Hume
Motorway. This busy road must be
crossed in order for Koalas to travel
from one colony to another.
At present, we do not know if
enough Koalas make this crossing
successfully so that neighbouring
colonies do not become inbred. Nor
do we know how they make their
way through the villages and rural
areas where trees are few.
There is no map of where Koalas live
and we don’t know if there is enough
habitat for Koalas to still live in the
Southern Highlands 100 years from now.
That’s why this monitoring work is
so vital. This knowledge will allow us
to ensure that the Southern Highlands
Koalas survive and thrive in the future.
The Foundation for National
Parks & Wildlife
Since 1970, the Foundation for
National Parks & Wildlife has
added over 500,000 hectares of
land to Australia’s national parks
and protected areas. It also funds
threatened species conservation
projects, bush regeneration,
cultural heritage conservation,
improvements to national park
facilities, and environmental
education. Find out more at
www.fnpw.org.au.
Gai and Rob Waterhouse spotted this Koala,
affectionately named ‘Blinky Bill’, on their
Southern Highlands property in April 2014.
Photo: Joe Stammers.
B r ad l ey Ph o t og r a p h e r s
The best way to commemorate your win
BP
Simply register your details
and start purchasing
online at:
www.bradleyphotos.com.au
Contact: Mark Bradley
02 4868 1433 • 02 4868 3794
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
15
Randwick on Cup Day
Over 23,000 Sydney-siders flocked to Royal Randwick Racecourse on the first Tuesday
of November to celebrate the 2014 Melbourne Cup, including myself and a few close
friends. The Australian Turf Club put on a spectacular display of Sydney’s finest racing
with two winners for Gai’s team and a lot of exultant punters who backed Cup winning
German import, Protectionist, writes Madison Whant
Caped Crusader winning the 1400m Schweppes Handicap
16
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
Photo by Need For Steed Aus
F
or the majority, Melbourne Cup day is all about Flemington. From the fashion
and celebrities, to the betting and the race that stops a nation itself, Flemington
certainly steals the show for racing enthusiasts on the first Tuesday of November. However, for those of us who weren’t making the trip to Melbourne, there
was racing, fun and fashion aplenty at the Royal Randwick meeting.
The day dawned chilly with grey skies and had us wondering if rain was on the cards.
A morning hair appointment, a last minute fascinator change of mind which typically
led to a mad dash to be ready in time and a short taxi ride later, we arrived at the gates
of Royal Randwick and quickly settled in for a day of fun in the sun on Australia’s biggest day in racing. Already in full swing by 11am, the front lawn overlooking the track
was littered with the bright colours and bold fascinators predicted by fashion blogger,
Kate Waterhouse, in our last edition. Joining the throng we quickly settled on to a table,
umbrella up, with a bottle of champagne and six glasses and the day was off to a lovely
start.
By this time Race 1 had been run and won by Sydney trainer John O’Shea’s Lassitude (Street Cry x Alberghetti) and Race 2 was just a few minutes away from jumping.
A quick look at the form guide and I realized Round Table Racing’s Caped Crusader
was set to run and with moments to spare I placed a small bet on the New Zealand bred
gelding. Emulating one of the first wins for Round Table Racing on Caulfield Cup day
by recently acquired European stayer Excess Knowledge (Monsun x Quenched), Caped
“Emulating one of the
first wins for Round Table
Racing on Caulfield Cup
day by recently acquired
European stayer Excess
Knowledge (Monsun x
Quenched), Caped
Crusader dominated Race
2 in an effortless win
with Adam Hyeronimus
aboard...”
Drew Irwin
Current Marcus Oldham student
True potential, starts
with the ultimate
preparation.
Agriculture | Agribusiness | Equine Management
Drew Irwin, an experienced electrician in the mining industry, decided to make a career
change and entered the racing and breeding industry.
The thundering, powerful roar of racing horses thrilled Drew
Irwin when attending the Brisbane Cup with his parents, whilst
riding camps fostered his love and understanding of the animal.
As an adult he follows racing by studying the horses, their
breeders and the personalities involved in racing, especially
“the little guy and his horse that takes on the world and wins”.
Drew says, “It’s a fascinating industry where people, be it a
Melbourne Cup punter, owner or trainer are all connected,
cheering and feeling the excitement”.
On the recommendation of Marcus Oldham graduate,
Dean Harvey, who enjoys a successful racing industry
career, Drew chose Marcus Oldham at Geelong to study for
his tertiary qualification. “I enrolled in the Diploma of Equine
Management because it is a one-year course which covers
so many topics about horses, but also many business
subjects, such as marketing and small business establishment.
With no equine background I find the practical handling and
riding is very good.”
After graduating in December, Drew aged 26 plans to work
in a racing stable or stud farm whilst building up his own
thoroughbred racing syndication business. “I want to get more
people involved in racehorse ownership and not only take
clients to the races and give them the thrill of winning, but
inform them on the whole process and journey of the horses
they have invested in. People will find it very rewarding with
an understanding of their horse’s breeding, the training/racing
plan and the entire business in getting the mighty racehorse
to the track!”
Interested in an amazing experience like this?
At Marcus Oldham, we believe that when it comes to your future, it’s important to
invest in a career not just a course. Our Diploma of Equine Management equips
ambitious and determined graduates with the business skills, qualified training and
husbandry knowledge they need to excel as leaders in the Equine Industry.
Free call: 1800 623 500
Email: [email protected]
www.marcusoldham.vic.edu.au
Randwick on Cup day cont...
Photo by Need For Steed Aus
Winona winning the 1200m Handicap with Vanilla Princess
Crusader dominated Race 2 in an effortless win with Adam
Hyeronimus aboard. Round Table Racing is quickly rising
to prominence with some impressive wins, securing their
future as one of Australia’s leading syndication companies,
with Managing Director Bruce Slade saying, “Caped Crusader was purchased to target middle distance races for his
owners who were looking for a horse that might give them
a bit of fun over a few seasons. His win in a class record
time was a perfect start.” Bruce went on to add, “It’s been
a big year. It’s nice to have the colours winning in town on
important days. We look forward to our entire racing team
delivering lots of joy for our owners in 2015.”
It felt like no time at all had passed before the twenty
two horse field for the 2014 Melbourne Cup was on the
course at Flemington and a growing crowd was milling in
front of the massive live television screens overlooking the
front lawn at Randwick. Regardless of where you are in
Australia at 3.10pm on the first Tuesday of November, it
truly is a sensational atmosphere. Funnily enough, amidst
a crowd of thousands a hushed silence befell the crowd
who held their breaths as the 2014 Melbourne Cup jumped
and Fawkner, then My Ambivalent hit the lead and cheers
erupted around us. Incredibly, it feels as if the race lasts
a lifetime as you watch the horses rise and fall in and out
of placing contention. Finally, Protectionist (Monsun x
Patineuse) raced away at the 100 metre mark to record an
impressive Melbourne Cup victory for the Wohler trained
German import and a second placing for the third time in
a Melbourne Cup for the Ed Dunlop trained Red Cadeaux
(Cadeaux Genereux x Artisia).
Securing a double on Melbourne Cup day at the Royal
Randwick meeting, nineteen-year-old Waterhouse apprentice Winona Costin stormed home for two impressive
wins, first in Race 5 on the Gai trained Vanilla Princess
(Lonhro x Princess Coup) and shortly after, in Race 7, on
the Kerry Parker trained Majestic Beast (Southern Image
x Djel D’Amour). Not surprisingly, Costin also managed
to bag two seconds and a third at the Randwick meeting,
setting her in the punters’ sights for a clear favourite for the
Apprentices’ Premiership. With twenty wins since August
18
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
Natalie Gurney, Nicole Penney and Madison Whant
“Securing a double on Melbourne Cup day at
the Royal Randwick meeting,
nineteen-year-old Waterhouse apprentice
Winona Costin stormed home for two
impressive wins, first in Race 5 on the Gai
trained Vanilla Princess (Lonhro x Princess
Coup) and shortly after, in Race 7...”
1 (to November 15), Costin has been making headlines as she gives strong
contention to Premiership leader, James McDonald on 29.5 wins and has
secured herself in fifth position for the premiership among some of Australia’s top jockeys. Although the Apprentices’ Premiership has only ever been
won by one female jockey, Kathy O’Hara, who took out the 2004-05 title,
Costin recently told The Sunday Telegraph, “There is a long way to go but
the Apprentices’ Premiership is a goal of mine this season.”
It was a fantastic turnout at Royal Randwick in Sydney for the 2014 Melbourne Cup, the atmosphere is electric no matter where you are in Australia,
but on the racecourse, it’s a special kind of excitement and certainly not one
to be missed. ▣
A Kiwi Flavour to Cup Week
By Petrea Vela
T
here are few racing carnivals that consume a nation
in quite the same way as the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Melbourne completely embraces the event and
celebrates its heroes – human and equine – as well as
anywhere in the world, and you can’t help but feel that something
special is unfolding around you.
While it’s widely tagged as ‘the race that stops a nation’, over
here in NZ you would really think it’s the race that stops two. New
Zealand has a long and cherished affinity with the Melbourne Cup
itself, having provided nearly half of all its winners over the last
50 years. Amongst them the likes of Think Big (twice), Gurner’s
Lane, Kiwi, Empire Rose, Let’s Elope, Doriemus, Might and
Power, Jezabeel, Brew, Ethereal and Efficient.
And now with the riches and prestige of so many of the feature
races that adorn the Cup Week schedule, New Zealand likes to
muscle in on the action right throughout the week.
This year the Carnival started auspiciously with NZ capturing
Race 1 and Race 2 on the Derby Day card, before taking out the
main event itself. Zabeel three-year-old Preferment (NZ) won the
Group 1 Victoria Derby in a supreme staying effort, relishing the
2500m to win his first race from just seven raceday starts. From
his NZ$190,000 pricetag he has now returned his connections
almost A$1 million.
Preferment’s win was also a bit of a milestone. While it was
New Zealand’s fourth winner of the race in the last six years, it
also provided the now retired Zabeel with his 44th individual
Group 1 winner, giving him a Group 1 tally to equal his famous
father Sir Tristram. Zabeel has just one solitary yearling entry
from his last crop in the Karaka Sales in January, very much marking the end of an era for the champion sire.
Also a winner on Derby day was the three-year-old Thunder
Lady (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) (picked up for NZ$75,000 from
Karaka) who got the Kiwi girls on the board with her win in the
Group 2 Wakeful Stakes. Again a maiden heading into therace,
Thunder Lady appreciated the distance rise to 2000m, and went
on to finish a gallant second in the Group 1 Crown Oaks on the
Thursday of the Carnival.
The third Kiwi winner on Derby Day was the promising Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo) with victory in the Group 3 Carbine Club
Stakes, taking his record to two wins from only three starts.
Day 2 and the Melbourne Cup itself was completely overshadowed for me by a little filly by the name of Atacama (NZ)
(Pentire) who won the race right after the big one, the Listed
James Boag’s Premium Stakes. It was thirteen years to the day that
the same blue and white colours of Pencarrow Stud were carried
to victory by Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm) in the Group 1 Melbourne
Cup, and was as exciting a win as any in between and the highlight of my week. Just having a runner loads up the week with
even more anticipation and excitement, and I can highly recommend it to everyone to get themselves involved!
Kiwi runners put in brave performances in this year’s Group 1
20
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
Petrea Vela, Nick Vela and Victoria Vela
Melbourne Cup with Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital)
finishing a gutsy third in the race and old-timer Precedence (NZ)
(Zabeel) showing age will not weary him as he dashed into sixth
from well back in the field.
Meanwhile in Sydney that day, Gai and Round Table Racing’s
Caped Crusader (NZ) (O’Reilly) was a smart winner on debut. Their
NZ$340,000 purchase from the NZ Ready to Run Sale might well be
one to keep an eye on this autumn…
The final day of the Carnival provided three Kiwi winners. The
highlight was the performance by Suavito (NZ) – by the ill-fated star
sire Thorn Park - who ducked and weaved through the field to win
the Group 2 Momentum Energy Stakes over 2000m.
Suavito was joined in the winner’s circle on the day by Saint or
Sinner (NZ) (St Reims), who led home a Kiwi quinella with his win
over Pin Your Hopes (NZ) (Pins), and Éclair Big Bang (NZ) (Savabeel) who now heads to Perth to compete in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes.
Melbourne Cup week is our sport displayed in all its glory, and a
wonderful reminder of what it’s all about as we head into sales season. I hope you loved the colour and energy and action of the week,
and get yourself a runner for next year! ▣
Styling
‘Capturing the beauty within’
I
n recent years the world of styling has just
exploded into the world through the Internet.
There are fashion stylists for the famous and
interior stylists for private homes. Demand
for styling schools and courses are popping up
everywhere as young men and women want
to make it a career. Now more than ever with
Instagram and Pinterest, jobs are being created for stylists for businesses wanting beautiful
styled photographs for their online stores and
instant updates. Today, every bride wants a
stylist… or two, a personal stylist for their own
needs, their hair, their dress and the makeup and
an event stylist for the flowers, decorations and
the theming. Over thirty years ago when Coty
Farquhar started her career in magazines, the
word stylist did not really exist. Coty Farquhar
is a fashion, food and interior stylist, as well as
creating events and weddings. Two years ago
she launched her own on-line magazine ‘Styling’.
“Styling is just my word for creating … it doesn’t
really matter what the job is, albeit a fashion
shoot with models, a cook book or a large
in-store display, it is all visual art to me,” Coty
recently told Lea Stracey
24
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
“Your Styling magazines fill my eyes and my heart with joy and
inspiration!”
“I knew very early that I wanted to be a stylist” the founder
and editor of online magazine Styling by Coty Farquhar
says. “Nothing gave me more pleasure than spending hours
arranging the flowers for my mother’s foyer and moving the
furniture around in our home. I just wanted to make things
look beautiful.”
Searching for unique items to use for styling and collecting objects has become a lifelong journey for this visual
artist, who went to art school in Sydney before finding her
niche in the luxury magazine market.
She worked in high profile jobs in publishing on the editorial team including many years at Vogue Living and Vogue
Entertaining Guide. She was the fashion and beauty editor at
New Woman and she was snapped up by Vivien’s modelling
agency as their first ever in house stylist where she created
many successful fashion shoots, advertising catalogues, cook
books and television commercials. Coty also styled for many
large events including the Hermes Paris International Show
Jumping Event.
It was a move out of Sydney twenty two years ago to the
Southern Highlands of New South Wales that led Coty into
the online space as a blogger where she has continued to
produce captivating work for her ever increasing international market. It was an immediate hit. Coty designs, styles,
produces and photographs all her own work. Her photography showcases many beautiful homes and gardens that she
visits and she shares on-line the weddings and events that
she creates for her own clients.
Her cabinetmaker husband Andrew’s business also thrives
in the country, with Farquhar’s Furniture continuing to make
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
25
“This issue is
more
beautiful
than ever but
then every
issue is more
beautiful
than the last
one.”
and restore traditional furniture for the high-end market.
This month Coty Farquhar celebrates eight years on
line, with more than seven million views. Her bi monthly
publication Styling Magazine is now two-years-old, its reach
is extensive and global and is accessed from many markets
including the United States, United Kingdom and Europe.
She brings to the magazine images from her vast archive
of material as well as new work to this world audience, with
each issue centring round a particular theme. And her back
issues stay up online forever, so there’s an infinite opportunity to search for and access her styling ideas.
This current issue of Styling is all about the table, with
200 pages and hundreds of styled settings and inspiration
inside. “I think the table is very important. It’s such a special
place in the home for the family and loved ones to gather,”
says Coty. The latest issue has been created just in time for
Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations.
Coty will be a regular contributor to Gai’s Gazette. “I’m
incredibly excited by this opportunity,” she says. ▣
26
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
“Every issue
is always
like receiving
a little blue
box from
Tiffany.
Thank
you!”
“Dear Coty, Just a short note to tell you
how much I love your work. What a gift
you have! It’s truly superb and inspiring.
It fills my heart with joy when I see your
photographs and articles, I just can’t stop
taking them in.
They posses the magic quality of
transporting one to another reality, they
evoke a certain romance, the best of a time
long gone. A time of
refinement, beauty and nobility.
Some things cannot be expressed with
words, just felt with the heart...”
To read the magazine visit www.cotyfarquhar.com
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
27
#SummerLikeANomad
A four part series of racing inspired travel over the European and Japanese summer
starting off with the Prix de Diane in Chantilly and Royal Ascot week by Social Media
expert, Round Table Racing Ambassador and all round international woman of mystery, Su-Ann Khaw...
Dinner by Heston
A
fter two transit flights, I arrived
bright and early at Charles de
Gaulle airport with a quick
stopover at the Shangri-La,
Paris for possibly one of the quickest
twenty minute race-day-ready sessions en
route Chantilly. The building where the
Shangri-La is housed originally served
as a mansion for Roland Bonaparte who
was the nephew of Napoleon and father of
Marie Bonaparte. Many a lady has left this
establishment on her way to Chantilly or
Longchamp over the last hundred years,
but very few at the speed at which I was
moving! However, as a lover of all things
racing, I certainly was not going to let many
long hours in transit stop me from seeing
the champion thoroughbreds that I write
and talk about every single day.
In between races I walked to “Le Village
28
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
Su-Ann in Chelsea
de Diane” situated in the centre of Chantilly
racecourse. Le Village is filled with such
an eclectic vibe of fashion, carousels, millinery, picnics and equestrian shows during
the course of Prix de Diane race day.
The trek back to the grandstand in time
for the feature took a fair bit of navigating
but was certainly worth the mad rush to
see Avenir Certain win the Prix de Diane.
Often known as ‘the French Oaks’ the Prix
de Diane was first run some eighteen years
before the first Melbourne Cup and over
the last 170 or so years, many a champion
has won this iconic race. Avenir Certain,
the daughter of popular French sire Le
Harve had been unbeaten up until her tilt
at the Arc de Triomphe where she finished
eleventh to Treve.
Straight back to Paris after the feature
and back in time for a wonderful dinner at
Wagyu Sliders in Kurobuta, Chelsea
L’Atelier Joël Robuchon, where I enjoyed
the Langoustine Ravioli with Black Truffle
and the Gazpacho.
After a much needed good night’s sleep
and feeling refreshed upon arrival at The
Metropolitan by COMO, London for the
beginning of Royal Ascot week. It still will
amaze many people that the trip by train
between Europe’s two most famous cities
takes less than half the time a trip between
Sydney and Melbourne by rail would take.
Five hours and you are in a different world,
but that is Europe. One could nod off on a
train for an hour or two and miss an entire
country! Tuesday morning commenced with
a lovely breakfast at Claridges with Gai and
Robbie before taking the train (certainly the
fastest way to beat the traffic from London
– although a hire car on the way back is
highly advised) to Ascot. Each day at
#SummerLikeANomad cont...
The view of the Eiffel Tower from the Shangri La in Paris
Ascot is as memorable as the next from Estimate battling to the line only to be nosed out
by Leading Light, Toronado in the Queen Anne
and Telescope’s Hardwicke win. Although
Kingman’s performance in the St James Palace
Stakes was simply breathtaking, it was even
more exciting to see him race in the flesh again
two months later to win the Jacques le Marois,
Deauville.
I had the pleasure of racing Royal Ascot
week with Musk Creek Farm’s David Kobritz
and Teresa Poon. Musk Creek is the beautiful
Mornington Peninsula farm where champion
Pierro took his first steps in yearling preparation. David and Teresa are owners in Café
Society and there was no greater thrill than
cheering the son of Motivator who finished
third to Contributer in the Wolferton, for Gai
and the team. Contributer has, like Café Society, moved Down Under where he has already
won the Group 3 David Jones Cup at Caulfield,
a race Gai coincidently won last year with the
30
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“During Ascot week I had a couple of foodie highlights including Kurobuta in Chelsea
where milliner Carole Maher and I dined
twice – we could not get enough of the
Wagyu sliders and Tuna Sashimi Pizza...”
progressive Flying Spur gelding Spurtonic. Needless to say, the future looks bright for
Café Society come the Autumn and next Spring. It was truly a wonderful sight to see
Gai’s owners share such a thrilling and memorable experience with a runner on Royal
Ascot week!
During Ascot week I had a couple of foodie highlights including Kurobuta in Chelsea
where milliner Carole Maher and I dined twice – we could not get enough of the Wagyu
sliders and Tuna Sashimi Pizza. Dinner by Heston was a fantastic dining experience
with each dish executed perfectly - the Tipsy Cake certainly the highlight of the night.
I stayed an extra week in London after moving to Chelsea as part of what I call, post
Royal Ascot recovery and a little R&R before my next stop: Northern Farm and the
JRHA Select Sale, Hokkaido. Stay tuned... ▣
Photo by Jamie Payne
Gai and her two chauffeurs at the Melbourne Cup
Parade in November
32
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
Melbourne Cup - A Week Long
Affair
It starts with Derby Day and after a whirlwind week of Group 1 glory on Victorian
racetracks, culminates in a family affair for Stakes day. This year, Melbourne Cup week
was a spectacular event and should definitely be on the bucket list for any racing
enthusiast, writes Zeb Armstrong
M
elbourne Cup week has
come and gone again, and in
2014, like every year, it was
a magnificent week. If one
of the four days drops off a little, another day picks up the slack. Just ten years
ago the big crowds were for Derby Day
and Oaks day with moderate crowds for
Cup day and Stakes day. 122,000 strolled
into to Flemington to watch Desert War,
Efficient, Gold Edition and Dance Hero
win respective races in 2006. Nowadays the
crowd is spread evenly over the four days.
Derby Day is the day for the purists with
every race being stacked full of quality. The
second best day on a pure racing sense has
become Stakes day with its two sensational
Group 1 races. Oaks day and Cup day have
huge fields and mostly Listed races to go
with the Spring Classic Group 1 races. It
is a big week, a marathon of racing. But
Melbourne, particularly Flemington, is
definitely the place to be.
It starts with Derby Day, the Saturday
before the first Tuesday in November. This
is the day where one is expected to wear
black and white and picking a winner is
certainly not easy due to the nine Group
races that contain usually between eight
and ten winning chances. After Derby Day,
providing we get to bed early enough, the
Sunday after is dedicated to Gai’s annual
Sunday at her Melbourne Stables. Owners,
media and staff all converge and while
chomping delectable sandwiches and sipping fine Pommery Champagne and Crown
Lager, the conversation generally turns to
the races. This year Bruce Slade sold the
final 20% of a colt while presenting him
infront of eager prospective owners. Gai ran
around keeping everything in check while
describing the horses in her stable to all in
attendance. Gai does this while the horse is
being paraded in front of the curious crowd,
a crowd that seems to be growing each year.
Bone, muscle, different features and ability
are discussed and highlighted by Gai. It is a
rare opportunity indeed to have one of the
most successful horse trainers in the history
of Australia, parade out one of her charges
and describe the horse’s talent and in which
races she will target him.
Monday takes us to the traditional Call
of the Card at Crown Casino. Despite the
Cup market being up and being bet on since
August, this is where the true market is
framed. Rob Waterhouse and three other
bookies all offer odds on each runner. The
bookie that offers the best odds has the call
on that particular runner and punters from
the 1200 strong crowd can (through roaming men with a microphones) shout out bets
and the bookie with the ‘call’ records all the
bets until the punters are satisfied and no
longer want to bet on that particular horse.
This is done twenty four times.
Gai turned up for a quick interview
wearing the lovely outfit from Cup day last
year, now an indelible reminder of her win.
She thrilled the crowd with a very honest
description of what winning the Cup meant
to her personally. This interview happened
just after the annual Melbourne Cup Parade.
This was Gai’s first Annual Cup Parade
as the trainer of a Melbourne Cup winner.
Gai later said that being ferried around on
a four horse-drawn carriage, was ‘one of
the biggest thrills of her career.’ It is not
surprising that the Lady Trainer feels this
way, because after a life dedicated to the
sport/industry of racing, can you imagine
Gai’s joy when 100,000 people turned out
to watch the Melbourne Cup parade? Not
a race, but a parade of champions! It was a
wonderful display of racing personalities,
horses, student bands, jugglers, people
on stilts and spectators who cheered and
clapped as the celebrities and horses and
even past winning jockeys wound their
way around the streets of Melbourne. This
hype before the big race the next day was
electric.
We now move to Melbourne Cup day.
The gates opened at 8am, and from 8.01am
people were flocking on to the track. BBQs
were roaring in the carpark, coffee was
consumed and people eagerly awaited the
bars which opened at 10am with the first
race at 10.30am. It was a 30 degree day
this year with a perfect amount of cloud
cover to make for a perfect day of racing,
eating, drinking and having a general whale
of a time. Over half the races on the card
this Melbourne Cup day were decided by
the narrowest of margins. There was photo
finish after photo finish. Punters in the
betting ring to the once a year gamblers in
the birdcage all stood in silence after our
own Amanpour hit the line in what appeared to be a dead heat. The judge took his
time, and unfortunately Amanpour missed
her win by less than 1cm. But sometimes
that’s the way it goes. For every person
that was on Amanpour, someone else was
on the eventual victor. To a man, woman
and child, not a word was uttered while the
masses were waiting for the number to go
into the frame. The Cup itself was a one
act affair. The German import Protectionist
won like Phar Lap and it won’t be the last
time we see this horse either, because as we
speak he is settling into his new surrounds
in Newcastle getting ready for the Sydney
autumn. By the time the young revellers left
the Champagne Bar in the Members Area,
darkness had fallen and another Cup had
been run and won. We all wanted to get to
bed and sleep for a week, but unfortunately
we were only half way there.
Oaks day was upon us, and with Gai not
having a runner at Flemington this day, the
author of this article ventured home to Port
Fairy, where, as luck would have it, Warrnambool Racing Club (just a mere 20km
from Port Fairy) was holding its annual
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
33
Melbourne Cup - A Week Long Affair cont...
Photo by Mark Gatt
Protectionist winning the 2014 Melbourne Cup
Oaks day meeting. This shows that Cup
week is not just for those lucky enough to
be at Flemington on any of the four days.
No, Cup week spreads all over Victoria and
indeed all over Australia. Warrnambool is
a three hour drive from Flemington, yet
thousands of locals all turned out dressed
in their finest to celebrate Oaks day at the
races, albeit the country races. The Fashions on the Field was the highlight of the
Warrnambool meeting with over 100 local
ladies entering. The ladies were wearing a
variety of colours, a multitude of hats and
all to a lady were ‘rocking’ ankle crushing
heels. All strutted their stuff and all looked
absolutely magnificent. It just so happens
that a Warrnambool trainer Ciaron Maher
won the Group 1 Crown Oaks at Flemington. Warrnambool celebrated deep into
the night while Melbourne got ready for a
much needed day off.
The final day, Stakes day, is a family day.
It is a day that has grown and grown and
perhaps this year, the secondary Group 1
race of the day the Darley Classic was the
race of the Spring. The victor was a Sydney
gelding, from another Sydney gelding with
the Victorian gelding back in third. Buffering, the Queensland warrior was fourth.
He is also a gelding. Cup week is about the
Cup, but with four super sprinting geldings all fighting out the race of the Spring,
the Autumn looks like it might be one for
the ages and the TJ Smith at Randwick is
already being talked about. These four cert-
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“With four super sprinting geldings all
fighting out the race of the Spring, the Autumn
looks like it might be one for the ages and the
TJ Smith at Randwick is already being talked
about...”
ainly won’t be rushed off to stud, so we can
only hope for plenty more epic clashes like
the one we saw this year in the Darley Classic. A South Australian trainer won three
races this day including the feature with the
talented four-year-old Hucklebuck. This is
the beauty of the week.
Trainers Australia-wide set their horses
for this carnival week. Yes, there might
be races with more prize money and more
prestige, but there is just something special
about winning a race in the Melbourne
Spring. After the last families left, a few
youngsters stayed and enjoyed the later
entertainment and the VRC no doubt was
thrilled with another very successful carnival.
During this week, and it is not just for
the Cup, but for the entire week, you know
racing has come to town. As you walk
around the streets, you see people’s noses
in form guides. On trains people are talking
racing, they are answering their phones and
trying to secretly conceal their tips. There
are functions, parades, lunches, dinners,
meetings, greetings and any number of
different ‘occasions’ that take place. People
are smiling, they cheer for their horses, they
call in sick for work so they can again go to
the races and then they go again for a third
or fourth time during the week. Everyone
knows someone who can get them into this
tent, that tent, the Birdcage, the Members.
But when the races are run, all eyes at the
track are on the horses. People in cabs who
are running late for the races ask the cabbies to turn up the radio in order to listen
to the races. People stuck at work use their
internet and phone accounts for bets and
those on the train huddle around whoever
has the tab app or the ability to listen to the
races. It is indeed a magnificent and busy
week for Australian racing. One thing is for
certain. Before we know it, it will be late
August 2015 and we will again be talking
of the prospective champion horses of
Spring racing. Bring on the Turnbull, the
Guineas, the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and
then on to fabulous Flemington for the best
week of the year. See you there. ▣
Amy Armstrong sporting classic ladylike race wear on Oaks day at the
Warrnambool Racing Club’s annual Oaks day meeting. She looks fantastic!
And from You...
@RoundTableRacng
Frespanol had serious owner support
@rosehillgardens 2day.
@TommyBerry21 received his pre-race
thoughts from
2yo Bobby.
@TommyBerry21
@roundtableracng @rosehillgardens
haha great to see kids having a great
time :) they are our future.
Please drop Gai a line @GaiWaterhouse1
Or, send us an email: [email protected]
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www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
37
ADRIFT
Jockey: Paul King
MAIDEN PLATE 1850m
Photo by Bradley Photographers
Photo by Bradley Photographers
EISENHOWER
Jockey: Paul King
MAIDEN PLATE 1400m
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www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
Photo by Bradley Photographers
SO NOSTALGIC
Jockey: Jim Cassidy
HANDICAP 1550m
Recent
Winners
PHEIDON
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
HANDICAP 2040m
Photo by Mark Gatt
Photo by Bradley Photographers
FRESPANOL
Jockey: Thomas Huet
HANDICAP 1500m
www.gaiwaterhouse.com.au
39
The Australian Racing and Equine
Academy
Award winning training for for the racing industry...
Our approach is to provide assessment of the skills that you have or are developing on-the-job and that eventually lead to a qualification in racing. Our experienced
workplace trainers and assessors will gather evidence of your competency including
observing you at work, asking questions and sometimes asking for a report from your
supervisor about your skills at work.
We work with Gai Waterhouse Racing, providing training and assessment services
for many of her staff. During 2014, AREA was able to secure funding to provide
assessment services for up to fifteen stablehands at Gai’s. These experienced workers
were able to have their skills assessed to provide them with a qualification at level II in
Racing Stablehand.
WSI partnered with Racing NSW in 2010 and over that time, has provided over 700
industry workers with a nationally recognised racing qualification. The increase in
skills has led to a significant improvement in safety across the industry, which is the
main focus for this training initiative.
In 2013 the Australian Racing and Equine Academy won the significant accolade
of Industry Collaboration Award at the NSW Training Awards and went on to win the
national award at the Australian Training Awards in November 2013.
As a student enrolled with the academy you enjoy the full range of support services
provided by WSI including access to careers counselling, libraries, learning support,
and so much more. ▣
AREA trainer Karlie Triffitt with
apprentice jockey Winona Costin and
Waterhouse stablehand Ashleigh Perry
Photo by Need for Steed Aus
T
he Australian Racing and Equine
Academy (AREA) located at TAFE
NSW - Western Sydney Institute’s
(WSI) Richmond College - provides
high quality training and assessment services
for participants of the Thoroughbred Horse
Racing and Equine Industries of NSW and
beyond.
Our academy offers programs in a range of
formats including on-the-job, work based, online, distance and workshops. Whether you are
based at Royal Randwick or Coonabarabran,
Casino or Coonamble you will receive our
expert attention, training and assessment.
Most training and assessment is conducted
on-the-job at the racecourses and stables at
which you ride and work. You can achieve
a national qualification for your role such as
Stablehand, Foreman, Track rider, Racehorse
Trainer or maybe your expertise is in Racing
Administration or Track Maintenance.
WSI’s Richmond College is located in the
picturesque Hawkesbury Valley on the outskirts
of Sydney. The facility includes an indoor
arena, a 600 metre sand track, a fully equipped
farriery shop and stables as well as a fully
equipped modern library, computer rooms and
other educational facilities.
Many of our on-the-job trainees also attend
the college on some mornings to improve their
riding skills by joining the trackwork riding
classes conducted at the college. Many trainees
report that this practice, conducted by experienced riding teachers, provides them with a
valuable opportunity to develop their riding
skills in a supported environment.
We acknowledge the difficulty for the racing
industry in sending people to training programs
that take them away from their normal workplace activities.
If you would like to know more about AREA or our programs, please visit www.racingacademy.com.au or phone us on 1800 200 724 or follow us on
twitter.com/racingacademy and facebook.com/ausracingacademy
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