EI…Questions without answers

Opinion

Nearly 3 months now that Equine Influenza has shut down the entire Racing thoroughbreds Industry in NSW. The Randwick Racecourse is still in Quarantine Area. So far the inquiry made by Ian Callinan hasn’t revealed much of how the Equine Flu has plunged Australian’s multi-billion dollar racing and breeding industry into an absolute black-out.

If we take a good look at it by finding the right answers at these questions; where does the State Government stands in this matter? What has the State Government of Mr. Morris Iemma provided since the shutdown has been avowed? Why the Racing Minister has been so muted and ineffective during the outbreak? And why does the Trainers Association and the Racing NSW has to go through legal battle against the State Government?

I presume neither the politicians nor the so-called ‘diplomats’ are eligible to response favorably to these questions. I deduce they don’t even have a clue about the whole mayhem. So why are they still beating around the bush and giving big homily around the table to officials of Racing NSW and Randwick trainers?

Though the Australian Racing Board officials had warned them in the past about poor quarantine standards for overseas racehorses but guess what the message from Mr. Andrew Harding, Chief Executive of ARB, has vanished like an eclipse in the space.

And now almost half of racing population loathes the Federal Government for not taking action at an early stage of the havoc. We, strappers, trainers, farriers, jockeys, dentists, vets, owners all considered as ‘actors’ within the Racing Industry have to juggle with the consequences. In fact the situation is quite dreadful with NSW spring carnival cancelled, NSW horses are out of the Melbourne carnival, first death of the disease, around $10 million in prizemoney lost, $100 million lost in TAB turnover, horse movement banned around NSW, approximately 60,000 Australian workers lost their job, Metropolitan and provincial racecourses have been lockdown, fashion, hospitality, veterinary and retail industries are also hit and racehorse trainers has dropped their stable fees.

It’s quite deceitful to see the way State Government has tackled the issue from the beginning. How could they dare raising the point on papal visit next year which coincide with Word Youth Day celebrations when the Racing industry is still in agony? What will be the consequences of 10 weeks racing and training inactivity at Randwick Racecourse next year? To who goes the blame State or Federal Government? At this stage it seems and sounds like an absolute hogwash.

Yet the Racing Industry is still wounded but is currently recovering from the disease. Neither the $4 million Federal Hardship Fund nor $11 million compensation fund will ease the pain of the entire Racing Industry. It’s time to lay down the vaccination cards on the table and start using it wisely which I truly believe is the only practical way of preventing the spread of EI.

If they keep pulling the cord in one direction this outbreak will remind us the saga of 1945 when Australia was declared in a war known as the ‘austerity Saturday’.

Safwa heads to new breeding career

Former promising mare Safwa from Randwick-trainer John O'Shea, had recently retired from racing. 'Safi' as stable-name is heading to her broodmare duties later this year at Darley Australia with champion sire Elusive Quality.

Her career has brought to an end up with an unlucky run earlier this month during the Brisbane Carnival. ‘Safi’ was very bossy at some stage of her career but has always displayed a remarkable skills of being a group horse. This mare showcased a blistering acceleration for a galloper when she is at her peak.

She proved it by winning previously the Epona Stakes (1900m) and Listed JRA Plate (2000m) in Sydney in March and April.

This 5 yr old mare daughter of Danehill and The Lord Ballina mare Showella has a record of 5 wins, 2 placings and had amassed $260,000 as prizemoney in 14 career starts.

Well, it’s quite a luminous career clashing up with unlucky run for instance in the Group 1 The BMW (2400M) which I still believe she shouldn’t have run. Maybe on the other side of the track the ‘boss’ has had his reason for giving her another run within a week just after smashing her opponents in the Epona Stakes. To me there’s only one way to enlighten this blunder: stunning preparation but short-time frame recuperation.

With such scrutiny I do have the priviledge to express my happiness for being her strapper and grooming her at some point. She was a dazzling mare with loads of maturity, calmness, well-behaved and quite a ‘big girl’. I wonder myself who wouldn’t love to have Safwa in their stable? I guess John O’Shea won’t hide himself behind the curtain to spew out the truth. Though he is a man of his truth!


What I have experienced with ‘Safi’ was an absolute myth, something really enchanted, outlandish and imaginary. A horse with who I had urbanized some kind of compassion and profound interest of understanding the philosophy of being an outstanding racehorse. She was my favourite horse in the stable and will still be.

I can’t wait to see what’s going to be the next twist of her breeding career. And I’m definitely keeping an eye on the new breeding season 2007.

Racing Brothers for life

It was passion that changed our life during a formative trip to Australia. The passion of Horse Racing drove us to the Racing headquarters of the AJC. And March 2006 marked the start of a new era for Jonathan and I in the Australian Racing world. Today seems to be like a huge milestone.

Just to refresh our memories; I came here for my Journalism degree whereas Jonathan settled as an Apprentice-jockey to pursue his dream to be a professional jockey. When we think about it...how does this connect us? Back in harness I was a Sport Journalist and Horse Racing writer for the Mauritius Turf Club and besides that Jonathan was an Apprentice with an effervescent skills and potential. We have experienced and accomplished our duties of being part of the Racing family at home.

But the standout story for me that year came in March. We were re-united as 'Racing Brothers' at David Payne's Stable to pursue our goal. This is to set up a business in Oz. And ironically we could then get our story beamed out around the country. As a matter of fact we haven't reached that stage yet. It's been now a year that we have moved on to the next step in the Australian Racing industry. I presume we were both ready for it. I was the first to make the big move from Payne's stable to John O'Shea Racing Stable in Randwick. I tried to bring him up with me but I was too powerless for that. I reckon that surprise is an absolute paramount to his move couple of months ago to Mick Price Racing Stable in Melbourne to pursue his career as an apprentice. So far he is enjoying himself by riding couples of Group 1 horses like Red Dazzler, Pompeii Ruler, Captious etc...Time will tell then when he will be ready for the big ride in races.

On the contrary of his story mine is slightly different. I have decided to put my journalism degree on hold this year due to financial hardship (meant to be my last year degree) to focus on the racing issue. I have a determined and a willful personality that this could work out for me. And I reckon I didn't take the wrong decision. At the moment I’m working my way up as a stable hand though I’m doing an Owner-Trainer course. Still inwardly, I’m jubilant of being part of the O'Shea team.

Being bounded by Group 1 horses such as Racing to Win, Reigning to Win, Just Mambo, Primus and Safwa...is just a pleasure to fulfill my dream of becoming a good trainer one day.

Soon there’s a great probability that Jonathan and I might team up together to start off as ‘Racing Brothers’ in Oz. I can’t wait to see what going to be the next episode of our stunning jaunt in the Australian Horse Racing Industry.