The value of a banner horse to service providers will be shown on March 11 in Australia’s top sprint, with three such ‘poster boys’ set to compete 150th run of the Newmarket Handicap (G1) at Flemington Racecourse.
Proven Purebred’ DetectiveTriple Crown Ma Toand Bennett Racing’s astrologer will fly the flag over their ownership concerns in a time-honored six-person competition, in the best promotional fashion a service provider can hope for in a crowded market ever today.
With Peter Moody trained I wish I won and of Godolphin secret vying for bias last night at around AU$4.20, Private Eye and AU$7.50 respectively, as they look to become the second horse in the calendar illustrious history of the race to win the first event, after Redkirk Warrior in 2017.
The astrologer at AU$61 after first finishing 13th in the Oakleigh Plate (G1) at Sandown last month, started at a similar level in Newmarket last year when he was hit in the neck as a finisher. second with a score of 100-1 Roch ‘n’ Horse.
In the case of Private Eye—who will jump from hurdle 2 under the leadership of Brenton Avdulla—and Mazu and Astrologer are widely attracted, the three service providers will hope to see the benefits once again. for their business when there are not only consistent winners but also star artists in their shop window.
“If you’re getting regular winners, that’s pretty good advertising,” says Jamie Walter of Proven Purebred. “However, in a results-based game, you need banner horses to promote your brand, and there’s no better way to advertise than to win the big race. New owners. There’s potential to be noticed and for file and ranked race watchers. There’s a much better thing watching an audience for group 1 than bread and butter races.”
Walter was a service provider for 20 years before Private Eye put him in the first group of 1 in Epsom Handicap (G1) in 2021. Under the guidance of Walter’s longtime coach, Joe Pride—who run the Proven’s Sydney battalion while Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted train their Brisbane horses—Private Eye is now not only Walter’s best runner but one of the best in the world. Current Australia.
Bought for just AU$62,500 at the 2019 AU$Million Sale, the 5-year-old gelding boy has blossomed after winning Queensland Guineas (G2) in his third bet start, back in 2021, becoming a 1st class group performer.
After a moderate fall last year on heavy tracks, his class was confirmed as he finished second after the rise. Cold blooded in the June Stradbroke Handicap (G1). Private Eye then did what he’s been striving to do Saurday—taking his first win at the Flemington 1,200 meters—in Gilgai Stakes (G2), before finishing second in the 1,200 metres. Giga Kickof Everest on the same trip and victory over Mazu in the Nature Strip Stakes at Rosehill. He was then the favorite in Flemington’s Champions Mile (G1), returning to his supposedly favorite ride, but a disappointing seventh confirmed him as a sprinter. almost by chance.
Mazu wins Doomben 10,000 in 2022 at Doomben Racecourse
Mazu coached by Peter and Paul Snowden has gone through a similar upward trajectory for the Triple Crown, his breakout preparations last fall culminating with a fifth straight win in the process. the first set of preparations and successes in group 1, in Doomben 10,000 (G1), before spring was highlighted by his third Everest.
Triple Crown were lucky to not have to wait long for this steady star, their fifth Group 1 winner in 19 years, and relatively soon after the 2017 and 2018 Everest winners. red. Mazu has also been on Everest this year, with The Star and Arrowfield filling their 2022 and 2023 slots with him.
Michael Ward of Triple Crown said: “Having a banner horse like this is definitely important. “We always sell the process that we use when we sell horses. So having proof in a pudding like Mazu is very important to the business, as well as to all service providers. Title horses—people follow them, people are familiar with them, they see those silks and they try to achieve that success on their own.”
The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained astrologer has come close to delivering a breakout group 1 to his service providers, but so far has settled for two groups of 3 and a win. listed, although his AU$2.1 million earnings are huge compensation.
Founder Nathan Bennett is convinced that as with Newmarket last year, the 6-year-old has surpassed the odds, saying that first 13th place in Oakleigh Plate, from a wide gate, is a solid run typical from gelding, who has largely helped put his six-year-old operation on the map.
“Horses like this get you out there and it shows that we can find a good horse that can reach the highest levels,” says Bennett. “They are great horses to own, as they bring you success and a lot of joy to the owner along the way.
“As a distributor, it’s good to have a poster boy, and I think a few more will be flagging for us in the near future.”
Regardless of today’s results, the Astrologer will bring Bennett Racing even more headlines next week, departing Tuesday for the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) on the night of the Dubai World Cup, 25th. March.
