V1 - AUSE01Z50MA THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2017 theaustralian.com.au/sport TURF SPORT 45 Diamond favourite long time in making

Blue Diamond Stakes BRENDAN CORMICK CAULFIELD, 4.10pm TODAY, 1200m After 25 years of flirting with the $4.40 CATCHY race, owner Robert Crabtree goes $5.50 PARIAH to Caulfield today with his best chance of winning the Blue Dia- $6 TULIP mond Stakes. Catchy carries Crab- $6.50 PROPERTY tree’s familiar red and white $7 FORMALITY checked silks and favouritism into the richest event in Victoria for $15 ROOMOOZ two-year-olds, offering total prize- $16 TAKING AIM money of $1.5 million. Crabtree bought the daughter $26 WAIT FOR NO ONE of Fastnet Rock at last year’s $34 BLONDIE Easter yearling sale in for $220,000. He went to Inglis sale- Others from $35 yards determined to buy a filly by Odds: TAB the and enlisted the help of David Hayes to nominate three or Longshot Danari chased home four lots that took his eye. “I said Danelagh in 1998, finishing second I’d have a look at them and then I and taking the result to the stew- would choose one and he would ards’ room for an objection that THAT’S WHY end up training it,” Crabtree said. was dismissed. Crabtree was bitten by the racing bug in the late 1970s. Associated with the North Mel- ‘It’s not just a bourne Football Club, he met the THE LADY IS late Monty Millson, a racehorse business. It’s a owner and breeder. – business with a “At a footy luncheon one day A CHAMP passion’ he said ‘would anybody like to take a share in a yearling?’ I foolishly ROBERT CRABTREE did,” he recalled. CATCHY’S OWNER-BREEDER The was appropriately MARK EVANS named using lyrics from North ’s newest fan Jemima takes a photo of the mighty mare at Rosehill Gardens early one morning this week. Winx goes for her 15th straight win today at Randwick Melbourne’s club song. Join In “I’m delighted because she’s an The Chorus was by Millson’s stal- fashion to Daniel Ricciardo riding a she’s gone again, free-spirited We ask Debbie about the Don- unbeaten Group II-winning lion Plush and ran second during In the golden light of dawn, Winx simply Red Bull against Lewis Hamilton’s RANDWICK, TODAY 4.30PM, 1600M again, snorting with happiness as caster. The sideways glance at daughter of Fastnet Rock and she is week at Fleming- astounds with her beauty, power and grace Mercedes-Benz at the Australian $1.10 WINX her co-owner Debbie Kepitis, the . The millisecond in the Blue Diamond on her merits. ton. Crabtree was hooked. Grand Prix. But there’s been some- youngest daughter of the legend- of one-on-one competition. Per- With a bit of luck we’ll see the best Scandinavia needed to find an- thing about Winx that has captured $8 ary horse owner and breeder Bob haps we haven’t really seen that at of her over a mile in races like the other length or two to be the best WILL SWANTON the imagination from that bizarre $17 ENDLESS DRAMA Ingham, talks about why this all. Perhaps we have only seen Thousand Guineas next spring.” sprinter of her era. Now 22, the in- millisecond of interaction and $71 LIBRAN, TAVAGO horse has the effortless ability to what we have wanted to see. Crabtree got his first taste of fluential broodmare has established seemed almost human. She’s power play with Happy Clapper at make her cry. “I don’t know,” Debbie says. Group I racing in 1983. An all- a dynasty. Scandinavia is the dam of seemed completely aware that the Doncaster and beyond, and so $101 MAGIC HURRICANE “Oh, she has a personality. Be- “I’ve watched and watched that conquering filly bred-owned and Helsinge, who in turn is the dam of she’s in a running race, completely we’re going out to Rosehill Gardens $201 PREFERMENT, WHO SHOT lieve me,” Kepitis says. “They all race. She definitely turns and takes trained by Tommy Smith, Gai modern-day immortal Black Cavi- aware of her place in it, completely to see if she’s deserving of our affec- THEBARMAN, LASQUETI SPIRIT do. You get the full gamut of a look. Sometimes a horse can Waterhouse’s father, named ar. Another of Scandinavia’s off- aware of the finishing line, com- tion. We take along a nine-year-old emotions and personalities with hear the other coming and Bounding Away won the Blue spring is Magnus, himself a star pletely aware of tactics, com- girl called Jemima for the sort of un- $301 GRAND MARSHAL horses. She’s no-nonsense. If she that’s what makes them go again. Diamond by four lengths. She sprinter and prominent stallion. pletely aware of the opposition, filtered and unbiased view that only Odds: TAB doesn’t want to know you, she’ll But she definitely takes a look went on to win the Golden Slipper “Scandinavia and Magnus gave completely aware of the 22,000 a nine-year-old can have. Waddaya just turn and walk the other way. there. I know what I’ve seen on and dominated her age group. us a great kick-along. Magnus Winx is third last, she dislikes the people roaring for her on one of reckon, Jem? “It’s just a horse!” she words but she’s staring at the track “She doesn’t like being that replay and that’s what I’m La Zip finished third, a long campaigned against some of the sodden track, she’s been ham- those magical days at Royal Rand- says the night before we visit the with her mouth in the shape of an brushed, but she’ll stand there and going with. It’s like she looks neck behind the runner-up Bat- best horses in the country and, in mered by the handicapper, she’s wick when we’re all swooning over mare without compare. ‘o’. Waddaya reckon, Jem? She’s put up with it because she knows across and thinks, ‘stuff you’.” aan, whetting Crabtree’s appetite fact, the world,” he said. come from a terrible barrier, she’s the fairest maiden in the land. We’re up at 3.45am, we’re at not sure yet and I’m reminded of a she has to. She’s not a horse that is Winx will contest the Chipping for precocious youngsters. Crabtree said nothing is more out of stride, she’s impatient, she’s She’s seemed completely aware Rosehill just after 5am, we’re quote: “A lovely horse is always an craving attention. Some of them, Norton Stakes at Royal Randwick West Australian mare Rich important than your children or obstructed in front, she’s obstructed that her singular mission is to win awestruck by the majesty of this emotional experience of the kind when you’re walking along, they’ll this afternoon. The best sort in the Haul provided Crabtree with his grandchildren, though he likens to her left, she’s obstructed to her and then bask in the adulation that sprawling that is spoiled by words.” put their heads out to see who you country will be at the prohibitive next two Blue Diamond runners. the joy generated by breeding and right, she’s a damsel in distress. may otherwise be reserved for a venue, we’re staring at the stars Winx is brought to the mount- are. She’ll stand back and look odds you get once or twice a cen- Her 1990 foal by Zeditave, was racing as “another She’s flustered but she’s beauti- Hollywood actress. From the mo- and the crescent moon. One of us ing yard for a photo shoot, we kid around and think ‘oh yeah, it’s tury. It’s not worth backing her. named The Heavyweight. The level of family’’. ful, she pauses, she takes stock, she ment jockey has is guzzling black coffee, we can you not, and we’re reminded of the only you’. She has a lovely person- The masses will back her anyway. gelding was an instant hit, winning “It’s absolutely fabulous when ducks, she weaves, she sneaks into fought back tears and placed a hear the birdsong, we can see the models we’ve seen on a catwalk ality for a racehorse. She’s very in- They will back her with the heart. or being placed at his first six you produce a horse that you the first narrow gap like a good sort gentle kiss on her neck, when silhouettes of horses and jockeys when New York Fashion Week telligent. She’s one of the smartest She’s just about the most popu- starts. He finished seventh in the might have foaled down yourself. getting to the front of the lipstick there’s been as much love in that on the far side of the track like has coincided with the US Open I’ve come across. It brings tears to lar female athlete in the country. 1993 Blue Diamond, the same You certainly bred it and then it’s queue at David Jones. moment as anything you will find they’re all pieces of a giant plastic tennis. The mannerisms are ident- my eyes, actually, just talking It’s a wonderful thing to see the placing filled by his brother Zed- fortunate enough to take its place She pushes into another slim in an Oscar-winning script, you toy set. We can smell the grass and ical, darling, the preening and the about her. Everyone falls in love tenderness of Bowman towards rich, who challenged subsequent in a race and, perhaps, even win,” opening, coming through, darling, have wanted to stand close to this with her and you can’t ask for any- her. Good girl, he says. Good girl. Golden Slipper winner Flying he said. “It’s an extra dimension. and now she’s in open space, and horse and see what’s really in her thing more than that. It’s dream It’s a wonderful thing to see her Spur for BD favouritism, in 1995. It’s a great feeling of satisfaction. now she’s running free and wild eyes. Girl power? ‘She’s no-nonsense. If she doesn’t want to know material. It’s pinch yourself. It’s trainer, Chris Waller, regarding Scandinavia won the 1997 Blue And if you can continue those gen- like she’s Emma Stone chasing The fascination has been mag- once-in-a-lifetime.” her with the protective affection a Diamond Preview, but, after start- erations — the grandmothers and Ryan Gosling in La La Land, and nified by having no previous you, she’ll just turn and walk the other way’ Why the emotion? “I’m on the father might display towards his ing favourite and running fourth mothers and the horses on the now she’s going to win the interest in the so-called sport of top of a rollercoaster,” Debbie daughter. He says it’s a privilege to DEBBIE KEPITIS in the fillies’ Prelude, was turned track — which I have now, it’s very Doncaster, but now she slows and kings, having never seen a race- WINX’S PART-OWNER says. “It’s just wonderful to have be involved. It’s a wonderful thing out for a spell ahead of the Blue satisfying. It’s not just a business. starts cruising to the finishing post horse in the flesh, having never be- everyone feel the way they do to see Debbie cock an ear while her Diamond. It’s a business with a passion.” as if her high heels are hurting and lieved the stories about Gunsynd we can detect the faintest fra- posturing, the self-acknowledg- about her. There’s the young blind money-making, history-making she needs to take them off, what’s a posing for photographs or bowing grance of horse shit from the ment of a striking and perhaps girl in Queensland who hears all little minx has ka-klumped on by. girl to do, but she hasn’t noticed to the applauding crowd or lower- stables. We’re standing in the superior physical presence. She’s her races. People from all walks of “I stand here and listen for the Catchy has the stuff of Happy Clapper romping home on ing his head and standing still mounting yard, right across from taken for a wander, she’s posi- life, and people who have never breath,” she says. “You listen. You the outside. when children have moved in for a the finishing post while darkness tioned in front of the cameras known racing, she’s just a beautiful just listen and count the breaths. And then to the naked eye hug. We’ve been among the evolves into a vibrant orange and again, pause, pout, all accidental horse to them. But she’s not a When she’s running at this time, I past winners, says Hayes comes something that has never section of otherwise sports- yellow Sydney morning. Someone on her behalf, of course, but she push-button. She’s not a machine. like to hear her breaths for myself. been forgotten, something that affectionate souls who’ve thought yells, here she comes. looks around while the cameras With the engine she’s got, though, She’s so even-breathed.” seemed ridiculous at the time but horses run for their lives because Bowman has a bright blue light flash and then she turns away as if she performs. And it’s a wonderful thing for a BRENDAN CORMICK has been etched in the memory for they don’t know what else to do, on the right side of his cap. The light she’s losing interest. Not now, dar- “You hope she can keep doing it racehorse with a touch of the further review. Right when Happy because they’re brainwashed into is hundreds of metres away, a lings. She keeps looking at the and she does. She gives you a buzz. Hollywood starlet about her to Trainer David Hayes sees and has Clapper makes his move, we swear it, because they’re being forced to flashing blip on a radar screen, but track as if that’s where she wants She creates excitement. She have such a marked effect on a been reminded by those close to Winx turns to her left, sees her sprint until their hearts burst by it’s getting closer now, and she’s to be, and we’ve seen this before, doesn’t let anyone down and I nine-year-old girl who has no him of parallels between Catchy male rival closing in, looks ahead the fear of being whipped and that swinging for home now, and she’s too, when the world’s greatest think people are feeling that. interest in TAB odds or 15-race and past winners for the family in as if she’s furrowing her brow in only the human punters, the coming round the bend and down surfers cannot get through a pro- Things can happen in racing that winning streaks. the Blue Diamond Stakes. determination, girl power, she human jockeys, the human train- the straight now, and Jemima is motional session without looking you don’t get anywhere else, and Waddaya reckon, Jem? The Hayes has won the race five lowers her head, girl power, she ers and the human owners care jumping out of her skin now, and once more to the ocean. that’s why you get the adrenaline nine-year-old is staring out the car times, making him the most suc- makes a concerted dash to the about the results. For we’ve never we can hear the thunderous ka- Winx is brought back to the rush. That’s why you worry about window at about 7.30am. She cessful trainer in the 46-year his- David Hayes post, girl power, she puts distance seen a horse look dejected in de- klump, ka-klump of a runaway photographers one last time and her. That’s why it’s so exciting. thinks she’s woken from a dream. tory of the race. His father Colin between herself and Happy Clap- feat, nor seen a horse pump a fist in train on its tracks, and we can hear seems to shrug, urgh, if I have to, Until she’s won, she hasn’t won. She knows what has really caught won it three times and long-time was narrowly beaten by Lime- per with every stride and finishes celebration, nor seen a horse hold- the racehorses’s heavy breathing and she’s not as as you It’s the anticipation of all that. It’s the eye. She understands the employee Gary Fennessy sees a lot stone,” Dabernig said. the race like a headstrong and foxy ing the winner’s cheque, nor seen a and grunting so clearly now, and expected, she’s more Kate Moss in thrilling. And then once she’s won, power of a first impression and of 1987 winner Midnight Fever in “The strength for us lies with young lady who’s the best sprinter horse depositing its winnings into we can see the young lady in all her a pretty dress than Claudia yes there’s relief, but the adulation, she’s no longer lost for words. She Catchy. the fillies. Wait For No One is a at Little Athletics and knows she a bank account. straight-backed, full-striding glory. Schiffer in a swimsuit, and you by gosh you’re ecstatic. I look can pinpoint exactly what makes Craig Williams, chasing his first real leader while Muraahib and has everyone covered whenever We’ve thought jockeys have Wow. The thorough awesomeness have this vision of her puffing on a around at Randwick and see all Winx a mare beyond compare. Blue Diamond victory, says Will’s Bid are drawn awkward she wants to put her foot down. used their horses merely as vehicles of a prize . The nine- slim cigarette while they apply her those people who are there for my “Dad,” Jem says earnestly. “She’s Catchy reminds him a lot of the gates and will need to be ridden For a moment there, Winx has to race each other in not dissimilar year-old Jemima is rarely lost for makeup in her trailer. And then horse. It’s mind-blowing.” so pretty. She’s just so beautiful.” team’s Golden Slipper winner quietly. Hopefully they’ll be run- Miss Finland. ning on.” Catchy is one of six horses the Highly fancied Jukebox was VRC breaks new ground as Elliott unites factions to take top job Lindsay Park stables will take into scratched yesterday by the stew- the $1.5 million race and co-trainer ards on veterinary advice, much to Tom Dabernig believes she has the the chagrin of trainer Ciaron Love would hold the casting vote if ‘For all of us this those years ago will be carried on,” form on the board. Maher and the ’s owners. BRENDAN CORMICK the directors were split four-all. Elliott said. “Drawn in 13, she probably Maher pleaded a case for the re- “I have advised the board that it has been a really “Our family has always loved needs to be ridden a touch patient- cent Caulfield winner, saying The daughter of a decorated Battle is my intention to oversee the de- fantastic day’ this sport, always been involved in ly and get the clear running down there was nothing unusual about of Britain pilot, Amanda Elliott livery of key VRC initiatives, in- it and always contributed to the the straight. I’m sure she will be the horse’s action, but vets were brokered a truce between factions cluding the club stand and, with AMANDA ELLIOTT administration of it — whether it VRC CHAIRMAN right there at the finish,” he said. concerned about his near foreleg. that will see her complete her term that in mind, I have committed to be in the country at Seymour Formality has drawn 12 but Two Racing Victoria vets and on the Victoria Racing Club board complete my current term,” Elliott where he started it and then leaves the barriers quickly and an independent vet specialising in of directors as chairman. said in a statement. “I will leave the a wonderful thing for the VRC, moved onto the VRC and now me. should be able to negate the wide lameness conducted the afternoon Elected unopposed, Elliott be- club in good hands at the 2018 particularly as we’ve got over 40 “For all of us this has been a draw. “She’ll put herself forward examination. comes the first woman in the 153- annual general meeting, after 16 per cent of our 31,000 members really fantastic day.” and take a bit of running down if Jukebox had been $7.50 yester- year history of the club to hold the years as a VRC director.” that are female,” Elliott said. The board had lunch and then, she does it nicely through the first day before his withdrawal. Catchy top office. John O’Rourke be- Elliott has been acting chair- An emotional Elliott told The to use Elliott’s turn of phrase, “it half of the race,” Dabernig said. has firmed to $4.40 following the comes vice-chairman and Neil man since mid-December after Weekend Australian that her was sleeves up and back to the Tulip had excuses last start withdrawal of Jukebox. Azazel and Wilson will be treasurer. previous incumbent Michael Burn father, Ian Bayles, a committee coalface”. when narrowly beaten by Lime- Spoils are other early scratchings. The board had been divided in stepped down. member for 12 years and vice- “The team is united, we are all stone at Caulfield, primarily being Sheer Madness gains a start for the lead-up to the election, held “For the VRC, in some quarters chairman between 1986 and 1988, excited and all moving in the same ridden too close to the pace. local trainer John Salanitri, who yesterday. At one stage the con- thought about as the old boys’ would be so proud. direction,” she said. “It is a privi- “Tulip has got a fantastic won the race with Road To Suc- stitution was examined and it club, has done something modern “He would be so proud that the lege to be overseeing these big IAN CURRIE action. Her form is good and she cess in 2000. seemed chief executive Simon and put in a female chairman. It is wonderful contribution he made projects.” New VRC chairman Amanda Elliott at Flemington yesterday