Kiwi Syndicator inspired by Sydney success
A breakthrough victory at Rosehill last Saturday has marked another significant milestone for New Zealand syndicator Inspire Racing, with Hello Youmzain mare Attractiveness (NZ) providing the operation with its first winner in Sydney.
Prepared by Richard and Will Freedman, Attractiveness scored in impressive fashion and delivered a special result for Inspire Racing founder Matthew Corban, who previously lived and worked in New South Wales.
“It was a bit of a full circle moment,” Corban said.
“I worked in racing in New South Wales some time ago and lived in Sydney, so I've got quite an attachment to Sydney. I love the place, particularly Rosehill and Randwick.”
Attractiveness was the first yearling Corban purchased under the Inspire Racing banner after catching his eye at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2023 National Yearling Sale.
“I had no plans that year to buy too many Book 1 horses, but I remember seeing her at Blandford Lodge and thinking, ‘Wow, she's bloody stunning.’
“I just assumed she'd be far too much money, especially at the budget I had at the time.
“I think her reserve was around $150,000. Then she passed in and Will messaged me saying, ‘You liked Lot 132 didn't you, should we go have a crack at it?’ Then we managed to negotiate a deal and got it done.”
Attractiveness was Inspire Racing's most expensive purchase until Corban secured an Alabama Express yearling earlier this year for A120,000.
“Will's been a great mate for close to a decade and we always wanted to race a horse together and we plan on having a couple more in the stable,” Corban said.
Freedman's patience with Attractiveness is now beginning to pay dividends.
“Will's been saying she's been stakes class all along, but initially she wasn't mentally there and her body was still catching up with her,” Corban said.
“When we originally purchased her we thought she would be more of a 2000m horse, and I think she is starting to shape up that way now.”
Attractiveness is set to have one more start in a Benchmark 78 Fillies and Mares contest at Randwick before heading for a spell, with the Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m) on Golden Slipper Day a potential autumn target.
Corban's involvement in bloodstock predates Inspire Racing, having raced Carbonados alongside his brothers before the gelding was sold to Lindsay Park after winning for Allan Sharrock.
“He won his only start with Allan Sharrock and then he was sold to Lindsay Park, and he's now the winner of seven races. He also won at Rosehill last weekend, which was great to see.
“I originally thought I was going to work in racing administration. However, things didn't really align as fast as I would have liked, so I decided to kickstart my own thing and that's when I started Inspire Racing.”
The son of long-time Cambridge Stud manager Marcus Corban, who is now the bloodstock manager at Te Akau Racing, Matthew Corban purchased his first horses at the 2023 Ready to Run Sale before expanding through the yearling sales. Inspire Racing now has close to 10 three-year-olds in work alongside its older horses.
Another success story has been Cruiserweight (NZ) (Hello Youmzain), whose sale to Lindsay Park after his debut New Plymouth victory when named Opetaia highlighted the commercial opportunities available to owners.
“We always viewed him as a trade horse,” Corban said. “I was kind of hoping that we would get another start or two after his win at New Plymouth.
“But JD Hayes was pretty keen on him after he won two trials. As soon as the horse breezed past the post at New Plymouth, he was straight on the phone to me.
“The ownership group got a good sum and there's always a risk if he did go one or two more runs before selling.”
As the team continues to grow, Corban believes finding the right trainer for each horse is just as important as buying the right horse.
“I've already got quite a lot of horses with Allan Sharrock, but he's got a more modest-sized stable so I can only have so many with Allan. But I would have a lot more with him if I were able to,” he said.
“Sam Bergeson is a really good up-and-coming trainer and has great people around him in Mark Walker, along with my Dad, so that was an obvious match to send horses to Te Akau.
“It just depends on the horse and what their strengths are. The Profondo we purchased, I view him as more of a spring three-year-old staying type. In New Zealand it's limited for staying types in the spring, so he was an easy horse to send to Sydney.
“I think the Sword Of State two-year-olds we have are potential Karaka Millions types, so it's beneficial to keep them in New Zealand.”
Corban hopes to continue growing Inspire Racing while giving owners the opportunity to compete on New Zealand's biggest racedays.
“I'd really love to have a presence on Karaka Millions night or on Champions Day at Ellerslie,” Corban said.
“I do want to keep supporting younger trainers. I think there are some good young trainers rising through the ranks in New Zealand. Someone like Benji King, who has had a super season. If I get the opportunity, I would love to spread my horses around.
“I'm just really looking forward to being back at the races again with a good group of owners.
“It never gets old. It doesn't matter whether it's midweek at Hawera or a Saturday meeting at Rosehill, it's always enjoyable.” - NZ Racing Desk
Weight O’Leary’s biggest concern in Grand National title defence
Weight is trainer Dan O’Leary’s biggest concern ahead of Captain Runs’ (NZ) (Nom du Jeu) defence of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 151st Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.
The now 11-year-old gelding carried 66kg to victory in last year’s edition but has been lumbered with five kilograms more on Saturday.
“The extra weight is against him, that is my main concern,” O’Leary said. “Most of the field is carrying 65kg and he and Nedwin are carrying 71 and 70.”
However, Captains Run has proven he can handle the weight, carrying it to a runner-up result in last year’s Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m) behind Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara), who was five kilograms better off.
Captains Run hasn’t had the best lead in to the Grand National, finishing last over 2200m on the flat when first-up at Waverley last month before losing his rider in a maiden hurdle at Woodville, and he beat just one runner home in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) at Riccarton last Saturday.
However, O’Leary said he has derived plenty of benefit from last weekend’s run and he is hopeful of a bold showing.
“I think he has improved a lot, the race has brought him on,” he said. “We are hopeful.”
O’Leary will also be represented in the race by Zac Flash, who is a $27 outsider.
“I think he is just a runner,” he said.
Captains Run is currently a $7 equal third favourite with TAB bookmakers, alongside Nedwin, in a market dominated by Lord Spencer (NZ) (Zed) at $2.05, with Brucie (NZ) (Raise The Flag) the second elect at $5.50.
Earlier on the card, O’Leary is looking forward to Sidetrack (NZ) (Puccini) having his second start over hurdles in the Speight’s Ultra On Tap 0-1 Win Hurdles (3100m).
The six-year-old son of Puccini made his raceday debut in the middle of last month where he won over 2100m on the flat at Avondale for former trainer Caitlin McKee.
“When he won that first race we just about fell off the chair, he showed a bit,” O’Leary said.
With a jumping future in mind, Sidetrack returned to O’Leary’s care and had his first start over hurdles at Riccarton last Saturday where he finished eighth.
“We were quite pleased with his run on the first day, it was his first start over hurdles, so we think he can run another cheeky race,” O’Leary said. “He is a horse that is learning a lot, so it is all education as much as anything.”
O’Leary has plenty of time for Sidetrack and believes he can make a top jumper in time.
“He could be a horse for the future, and that is what we are hoping for,” he said.
“He can take a jump nicely and he will probably be better steeplechasing, he jumps more like a steeplechaser than a hurdler. Hurdlers skip their jumps whereas he jumps them.
“It (Christchurch trip) is a tremendous education for the future. In two years’ time he might come back and be a different horse for the Koral or National. You have got to do this education step for the future.”
While his future lies with jumps racing, O’Leary said Sidetrack will likely return to the flat before heading for a spell.
“I know there is an amateur race again up in Te Aroha over the jumping carnival and he will probably go back to that,” he said. “We will give him a couple on the flat, and that might just about do him.” - Joshua Smith
Champion jumps jockey returns for Grand National
Champion jumps jockey Shaun Fannin had intended on competing at Riccarton’s Grand National Festival of Racing this week, but not as a rider.
The Palmerston North horseman has become synonymous with the winter jumps carnival, particularly through his deeds with ill-fated champion jumper West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), who he guided to three consecutive victories in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) and two wins in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m).
Earlier this year Fannin decided to call time on his decorated riding career to focus on his growing Awapuni stable, which he operates with his wife, Hazel.
While the couple were without their top jumpers Jesko (NZ) (Atlante) and Fourty Eight (NZ) (Ekraar) this winter, they were excited about their new stable addition Weneedashock (NZ) (Shocking), who was a dominant 12-1/4 length victor in his maiden hurdle at Te Aroha in June in the hands of Kylan Wiles.
The Fannins set their sights toward Riccarton’s jumping carnival in August, however, with Wiles serving a suspension and limited alternative riders, Shaun Fannin elected to come out of retirement to ride Weneedashock at Te Aroha late last month to get a gauge on the gelding.
Weneedashock finished fourth, and his trainers ultimately decided to bypass heading to Christchurch this year.
“He went well at Te Aroha but we got a fair bit of rain the day before and I don’t think he likes those really heavy, deep tracks, which it was up there,” Shaun Fannin said. “He stuck on well for fourth and we were more than happy with that.
“We just thought it was a big step going to Riccarton, he probably just needs another run before taking on the real big guns.”
While Fannin decided against the trip to Christchurch with Weneedashock, the champion jockey’s return to the saddle wasn’t left unnoticed, and he received a call from Otaki trainer Johno Benner, who part-owns the Kevin Myers-trained Happy Star (NZ) (Fabulous), to see if he would ride the top jumper in the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 136th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) at Riccarton.
Fannin has had a good association with the son of Fabulous, having ridden him to victories in the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) and Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3100m), and a runner-up result in the Grand National Hurdles, and after some consideration, he decided to accept the invitation to ride this Saturday.
“I am really looking forward to it,” Fannin said. “I am just going to ride Happy Star. Will Featherstone rode him last start and had an injury, so Johno said if I was interested then he would get me on him. I have ridden him plenty of times before.
“I blew the cobwebs out at Te Aroha so I feel I am up to doing the job on Saturday. Hazel and I are working pretty hard at home, so my weight is probably the best it has ever been.”
Happy Star heads into Saturday in good form, having won two and placed in two of his last four starts, including victories in the Manawatu Hurdles (2500m) and Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3000m).
“He is in very good form, he beat everything in this field in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle,” Fannin said. “He has a big weight (70kg) to carry but I think he is in as good a form as he has ever been in.
“He had a really good run on the flat at Waverley not long ago after the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle win, so I think he is right at the top of his game. It would be special to get a good result on Saturday, and we will be there to give it our all.”
While looking forward to Saturday, Fannin said it is just circumstances that has led to his return to the saddle and he intends only riding his own runners in the future if a rider shortage arose.
“We do have a few riders there but at Te Aroha last week there were six that were unavailable through suspension or injury,” Fannin said. “When you have got 10-horse fields, taking six away is a pretty big knock.
“In the back of our mind for any horse that we have, if I have to be ready to go then I guess I am going to have to be.
“I am fit and ready to go if it arose. I rode my horse through circumstances at Te Aroha and then this opportunity came up, and I feel like I am still up to the job, and that is why I took the ride. At this stage, I am not really looking to do it (return to regular raceday riding).”
Meanwhile, Weneedashock had a pleasing trial over a mile at Foxton earlier this week and Fannin said he will likely head to Woodville next Sunday for his next race.
“He had a quiet trial at Foxton on Tuesday where he went well,” Fannin said. “I am pretty sure that he will give a good account of himself at Woodville on the 16th.” - Joshua Smith
Dictation seeking redemption in Grand National Hurdles
The connections of Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) have a love-hate relationship with Riccarton, and they are hopeful of leaning towards the latter after Saturday’s Hospitality NZ Canterbury 136th Hospitality NZ Canterbury 136th Grand National Hurdles (4200m).
While the Hawke’s Bay gelding has competed in the last two editions of the Grand National Festival of Racing, he has yet to contest the feature hurdle, something he will change on Saturday.
The nine-year-old son of Tavistock missed the 2024 running after he stumbled over the final hurdle and lost his rider in the traditional lead in race, the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m). He made amends last year when taking out the feature on the opening day of the carnival, but he was ruled out of the Grand National just days out due to a ligament strain.
This year he is in fine fettle and trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal are looking forward to their gelding finally getting his chance in the Grand National.
He heads into the race in solid form, having placed in the Sydenham Hurdles and Waikato Hurdle (3200m), and finished fourth in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3000m).
“We are pretty pleased with him,” Nelson said. “We rode him a bit differently the other day (in the Sydenham Hurdles) because we thought there was going to be a fair bit of pace on and we didn’t want to use him up.”
The stable will also be represented in the race by The Bambino (NZ) (Rock 'N' Pop) and Taika (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), with Nelson citing the 4200m as their ally.
“They have both proved that they are up to the standard,” he said. “Affordable went pretty well the other day (when winning the Sydenham Hurdles). We know Taika will go that far and The Bambino will definitely go that far, but we don’t know if their horse will go 4200m, but he looks like he should.”
Nelson is also hopeful about evergreen jumper Nedwin’s (NZ) (Niagara) chances in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 151st Grand National Steeplechase (5600m).
Nelson said it has been a frustrating preparation, with several meeting postponements, but he is happy enough with the 12-year-old gelding, who will carry 70kg on Saturday.
“Hopefully we have got him a bit better this week,” Nelson said following Nedwin’s fifth placing in last Saturday’s Koral Steeplechase (4250m).
“It has been pretty hard, we have been a bit behind all the time with races being changed, and when they called Wellington off that put us quite close to the next race coming up. But it is just how it has worked out.
“He seems pretty good, they had a gallop on Thursday morning after the frost lifted at about 10am and he was wanting to do some work.” - Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
