Gee, Victorian trainer Bryce Stanaway must be a man of tremendous patience.
Throw in a good helping of hope too.
At Geelong today, his 8YO mare COSTANO MILLE (Istidaad-Javaloushe) trots around in race 4 over 2212m.
She’s probably going to be an $81 chance and Bryce will saddle her up, as he’s done many times before, send her out with rider instructions, close his eyes, pray she gets around safely, oh and perhaps “Lord, could you give her a bit of luck this time around, please.
“Or at least a push along.”
This would be because Costano Mille, who he both part owns and trains is stepping out for the 102nd time. Not many mares race 100 times. Even fewer, if any, have ever raced 100 times and NEVER won a race.
This then, makes Costano Mille rather unique. She has run 13 placings in her two country career….but never won a race.
She has accrued $106,000 in prizemoney over her 6 years of racing. She started her career in New Zealand and showed promise placing there then came to Australia in search of bigger fish.
But it seems her herd mentality, which is found in some horses, just kicks in every race. She likes to run with the pack – not in front of it.
Which is a shame because she is not without ability. And her 4th placing, in this very grade at this very track last start, under normal circumstances, would look like she is in this race this afternoon up to her eye balls.
But history says otherwise.
We wish Bryce Stanaway and his luckless, feckless, herd horse the best of luck today.
I will cheer loudly if she looms to win.
