Three high-class mares are preparing for their racetrack swansongs at Doomben.
There will be a wistful footnote to the Doomben Cup meeting with three wonderful mares heading to the races for possibly the final time.
Star New Zealander and 14-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle, enigmatic Doncaster Mile winner Nettoyer and popular frontrunner Greysful Glamour are all set to go under the hammer at next week’s Gold Coast National Broodmare sale.
All three are preparing to bow out of racing on Saturday, Melody Belle and Nettoyer in the Doomben Cup (2000m) and Greysful Glamour in the Pam O’Neill Stakes (1600m).
The trio have taken connections on an incredible journey and Mark Newnham, trainer of Greysful Glamour, says it will be hard to say goodbye to a horse that has been part of the furniture.
“She has been a lot of fun and she was a big help to my career early on,” Newnham said.
“She was one of the first runners I had in a Melbourne carnival and she only just got beaten in the Oaks. She has won a Villiers, she won a Mannerism at Caulfield, so she has won some nice races and she has competed in some nice races.
“She was a $90,000 yearling, she has won $900,000 and she will probably bring $900,000 to a million (at auction).”
Greysful Glamour’s one quirk is she needs firm footing to perform at her best.
With Doomben a soft 5 on Friday and no rain forecast, Newnham is hoping she strikes her favoured conditions to help her bow out a winner at start number 40.
While there is always the chance her buyers could continue her racing career, Newnham is preparing to farewell the stable favourite.
“There is possibly another couple of races in Brisbane that might suit her after the sale,” Newnham said.
“I’m treating it as her last start, but it would be a bonus if it was otherwise.”
Greysful Glamour has raced 39 times for six wins and 10 placings and a victory on Saturday would take her prize money tally to just shy of $1 million.
