One of Australia’s biggest, fattest, stallions racing, SIGNIFICANCE (Frankel-Aqua Bella) made himself somewhat of a valuable commodity at Rosehill when he stylishly won over 2000m on Saturday.
With a powerful pedigree like his and now a city winner, Significance may well go on and win something better as he matures strengthening his value further.
Today was his 16th race start and his 3rd win. He’s made over $126,000 for his connections but he hasn’t been without his problems.
All of which brought about by the fact he’s a massive 600kg fat as a fool bull who still has his nuts.
“Domeland own him and he has been a problem child all his life,” said trainer Clare Cunningham after his win.
“Treve (Williams) at Domeland came to me one day and said he had a horse who needed someone who knew how to deal with troubled horses and to be honest, when I saw him and his size I didn’t think I was the one for him.
“I would not have been the person I’d choose for a brute like him if I was doing the choosing, but anyway, I’m glad we have him now.”
In his first preparation, John O’Shea trained him and despite running 4th at his 2nd start in a stakes race, and winning his maiden by 8 lengths, he did not fulfil his promise. After all, connections were and still are hoping he can furnish into a stallion and with his pedigree he can. His size and his breeding combined to entice them to find $1.1million for him as a yearling.
“He can get stale and fat very quickly. I think he still is fat inside but he is very sound so I can pump work into him. He showed us straight away that he wanted 2000m so I trained him up for that. He has his quirks,” assured Cunningham, “and you really need to get him switched on as he gets bored. So during the week I sent him over some sticks and took him to the beach which he seemed to really like.
“But he owes us still. I have one staff member with a broken toe because of him and he nearly squashed my strapped today when he rammed him into the stalls while putting the saddle on.”
Significance won from the game GONBE BY (Al Maher-Gone Platinum) who came to win the race but the winner staved him off after dashing two lengths clear of the pack once the turned for home.
ACCOUNTABILITY (Dubawi-Vow) who beat Significance last start, rushed home hard and strongly from well back to grab 3rd, stamping himself a stayer of the future.
Cunningham’s partner Jason Collett rode the winner.
