News & Media

28 April 2008 Omens Pointed To Allied Force

The omens were all there. Self-confessed Anzac Day freak Bryan Cousins was producing the aptly-named Allied Force for his debut in a two-year-old event at Gloucester Park on Monday.

And Allan Stiles, part-owner of the gelding, knew that he was about to celebrate his first win with his first attempt with his first horse as soon as Allied Force drew barrier six.

Stiles played in the No. 6 jumper in his many seasons in a back pocket with Perth in the WAFL competition in the 1970s when one of his teammates and chums was Cousins.

Stiles, known and loved by all as Chubby, visited the tote and made his modest investment before Allied Force, driven by Chris Lewis, dashed to an early lead, set the pace and won the 1730m event by seven lengths from Jimmy Dancer. Allied Force paid $19 straight out and $4.30 for a place.

“I’ve always wanted to race a pacer and Bryan gave me the choice of having a share of  Allied Force or Global Raider,” Stiles said. 

Global Raider made his debut in a two-year-old event 35 minutes before Allied Force won and he finished a sound third to Fast Play.

“I’m an Anzac Day freak,” Cousins explained. “Chubby’s Dad fought in the war and I named the horse Allied Force as a tribute to all those brave Australians and New Zealanders who fought for their country.”

After Monday’s meeting Cousins went home, packed his bags and went off to take part in the Anzac Day ceremony at Hellfire Pass where many Australian, British and Dutch prisoners of war died at the hands of the Japanese in 1943.

“Chubby comes to the stables every Saturday morning and tells everyone what to do, even though he knows nothing about horses.”

Allied Force, by Brett Hanover, was bred by Cousins. The gelding is the first foal out of Global Image (by Armbro Operative), who had two unplaced runs as a two-year-old before being retired.

Global Image is out of the Noodlum mare Schehallion, who finished ninth at Narrogin at her only start (as a two-year-old) in a race.

Schehallion, the dam of Global Raider, has produced four winners, including Global Force, who won the 2004 WA Derby, beating Ulrich by a short half-head, and earning $282,440 for Cousins from his 17 wins and 25 placings from 81 starts.

Schehallion’s other winners are Global Impact, Friday On My Mind and Global Strike.