Maturity generally makes a difference with a thoroughbred, it certainly has with Belle Couture, she has learnt a lot since her first outing at Bendigo when she finished second a few months ago.

There was a lot of hype about her on that occasion, too much was expected of her, she was not ready for that assignment.

It was back to the drawing board, she needed to learn the basics of racing, she came out a different filly at Caulfield on Monday.

Damien Oliver allowed her to settle before asking for any effort that was the plan; she worked her way into the race with a minimum of effort.

She is a well bred filly with pedigree and sound prospects of a successful racing career and her ultimate breeding life.

Whether she will have another run this preparation is a case of wait and see, there could be some nice races coming up in the early spring that would suit, Black Type is always the aim.

Belle Couture was sold as a yearling for $2.6 million, now with proven racing ability she is a winner and looks a reasonably sound investment at this stage.

She is well related filly; there is no point in elaborating on her sibling that is another chapter.

Belle Couture opens her winning account

Mornington to Echuca is a pretty long haul at any time and the return journey is no shorter, except a bit sweeter if you’re travelling with a winner.

Matt Laurie went to Echuca yesterday with three horses and returned with a double, and a little bleary eyed as well, but that’s it’s all in the name of winning.

There was quite a bit of form about both winners, in particular Riviera Riches, he had only missed a place once in five starts, from the wide gate his win was quite impressive.

Laurie completed the double when Bet You She Rocks, a four year old mare by Fastnet Rock, was given the run of race by Chris Caserta, a likeable lad recording his second winner.

Ironically, Riviera Riches and Bet You She Rocks each had a winning margin of one and a quarter lengths.

Oakford Lass Opens Her Winning Account

Oakford Lass, a mare that has had her share of problems, rewarded trainer, Brian McKnight, for his patience when she won a 1200 metres Maiden at Echuca yesterday.

Her racing career has been limited for a five year old mare, just nine starts due to a 17months layoff through an injury.

She has returned from the paddock as sound as a bell, now with two runs under her belt this time in she is ready to take the next step.

Oakford Lass is a full sister to Le Remas, he has also been off the scene for some time due to a tendon trouble.

Oakford Thoroughbred Farm has a half sister to Oakford Lass and Le Remas by Sharkbite, to be offered for sale at VOBIS Yearling Sale on Sunday.

Naming of Races

Bendigo Jockey Club needs to be applauded with naming races of those that made such a contribution to the local race club.

Too much is taken for granted, those that served racing so well over all those years are entitled to be recognised, the men and women in many instances are a part of the heritage of the race club.

The Bonnie Bland / Man A Million Plate is named after a horse that opened his winning account in a Maiden race at Wycheproof, he graduated to a win in the Victoria Handicap and the Listed W J Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm.

George Daniel, the former school master turned trainer, prepared Sailor’s Guide, the classic winner and weight for age performer, he went on to win the Washington International in America.

Bendigo have promoted racing very well, the heritage must never he allowed to die but there are times when it is breathing a bit heavily.

Sydney is entitled to bask in the glory of their Championship promotion when the best horses in training were competing in nine races at Royal Randwick for record prize money of $8.5 million.

However, whether the Australian Turf Club needed to race at Randwick so soon after the Championship seems a bit unnecessary, where there are four race courses in Sydney under the administration of one Club.

Racing should have gone to Rosehill, Canterbury or Warwick Farm; Randwick should have been spared for next Saturday’s program, the All Aged Stakes.

The entire program is completely out of kilter, stake money of $8.5 million one day and a paltry $400,000 the next, with three maiden races to boot, the meeting should have been transferred to Bourke, there would have been more interest shown there.

Leading Jumps Rider Warned

Leading jumps rider, Steve Pateman, has been refused permission to accept rides weighted below 67.5 kgs, hence it cost him the ride on Lord of the Song in the Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank.

Pateman has had several weight issues in the past that have tried the patience of the stewards, when they have had to substitute riders at scale due to a weight issue.

It is now all up to Pateman, he now has to prove to stewards he is serious and needs to undergo a weight reduction program.

He now has to face facts, there is not going to be many riding opportunities for him, or any jockey, at 67.5 kg.

Scratchings Heavy

Scratchings were surprisingly heavy at Caulfield, numbering 47 on a track rated a dead 4, and likely to come up as a good 3.

We also saw two Maiden races on the program, for unexplained reasons the first one worth $35,000, and the second was $25,000.

Surely the stake money could have been pooled at $30,000, as the costs involved are equal.

Avoca on Anzac Day

Avoca is in for another big day on Friday, when the local race club plays host to thousands of visitors to the annual Anzac Day race meeting.

The club conduct three meetings per year, Anzac Day, Caulfield Cup Day and another leading into Christmas in December.

All are non tote fixtures which suit the club, the committee is strong and enthusiastic, far from the type that only turn up on race day.

There are no drones in Avoca, every committeeman puts in, their strength is in numbers as shown by the success of the club.

If ever there was needed to be an example of a race club overcoming tough times, the Avoca Shire Turf Club stands as a shining example .

At last common sense has prevailed after the Full Federal Court Thursday dismissed Bruce McHugh’s appeal against the ban on artificial insemination within the thoroughbred breeding industry.

McHugh, a former leading bookmaker and breeder, argued the rule was a restraint of trade.

Whilst it was a win for the breed industry it would have to be questioned, was it really necessary? a duration of five years, millions of dollars in legal fees, and nothing has changed?

Zoustar Gone Missing

The future of sprinting star three year old Zoustar lies in the balance, whether he races again is unknown at this stage and could be decided on the court room floor.

There appears to be some concern in the ownership of the colt who has a hefty price tag on his head, and is going nowhere at this stage.

After he won the Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Flemington on Derby Day, it is believed he was on the market with quotes ranging from 12 to 20 million dollars, we have since heard of where he will stand as a sire, but his purchase price has not been revealed.

He has won six of his nine starts with two Group1’s, his only run since the spring was the Canterbury Stakes when he finished eightieth in a field of 10 runners.  

Lucky Striker, and his trainer Saab Hasan, deserved their win in the Story Landscaping Handicap at Caulfield, if for no other reason than their sheer persistency.

Surprisingly, the gelding drifted out to $21.00 in betting, he was almost friendless in the market with the preferred favoured being Resistant who struggled for most of the journey and was never a chance at any stage of the race.

Lucky Striker was on the pace for most of the trip, he led around the home turn, nothing challenged him thereafter, overall it was a fairly weak affair and simply a one horse race in the straight.

The win was a break for trainer Saab Hasan, he is slowly but surely putting a useful team together at Flemington.

“He has been a consistent horse, I couldn’t believe the price he started at today, he loves to lead in his races and a bit of give in the ground suited him. Steven Arnold has done a lot of work and would have had the ride today except he couldn’t make the weight and Darren Gauci helped us out, “said Saab Hasan .

Lucky Striker is by the ever green sire Strategic, who is fast approaching his 22 nd year, he has sired winners of over $36 million and 25 Stakes winners.

Lucky Striker wins for Saab Hasan

Country Race Meetings Over Easter

EASTER SATURDAY—Bairnsdale –Tatura , Kerang –Warracknabeal

EASTER SUNDAY --- Mornington ---Donald --- Swifts Creek (Picnic)