There has been a bit of social media, particularly twitter and bloggers, reaction to the Rosehill races on Saturday.
One race in particular.
It’s the Gr 3 San Domenico Stakes over 1100m and worth $160,000.
It’s for 3YOs.
That is the only restriction on the race. You need to be a 3YO, so it was with fascination that bush trainer Mike Cattell told his band of owners that they should run their 3YO in the Gr 3 race.
His name is ROYAL POPCORN (Bullet train-Lovable).
The fascination stems from the fact the horse has no chance.
He will probably start at $501+ and may even get out to be the longest priced galloper ever to run in a city race.
His form reads 5 starts for 5 unplaced runs, all in bush or provincial races. His latest effort was at Moruya where he ran 11th in a field of 12 maiden gallopers….carrying less weight than he has to on Saturday.
Royal Popcorn’s last start in a Moruya Maiden beaten 17L:
It’s fair to say he will be gapped at Rosehill and finish 15 lengths behind the 2nd last horse.
But here’s the thing I find interesting.
Have Your Say 🗣: Should Royal Popcorn be allowed to race in a Group 3? – Comment below
As a racehorse owner myself, I enjoy race day immensely. When mine are racing, and mine are bush horses too, my heart brims with hope and my mind starts spending the prizemoney long before they are even in the gates.
But, sadly, 80% of the time, horses run out of the major money, mine are no stranger to that and so invariably you get a $400 cheque.
Now let’s look at this Saturday race a minute. When Mike saddles Royal Popcorn in the San Domenico, and his 12 or so owners cheer him on, they will have the last laugh.
For you see, Royal Popcorn wont keep up. He wont in any way trouble the other horses in running as he should pretty much be last all the way.
And when he crosses the line, in last spot, he’ll get a few hecklers but a good deal of applause too.
And why? Well….for running last in this race he earns $4000. That’s over a month’s training fees….and 10 times what a bush race pays!
It also represents double what he has earned in his entire 5 career starts to date.
So, I say, well done Mr Cattell.
You’ve looked after your owners.
