Strong WA Representation In Aust Horse of the Year
2 October, 2017
Thoroughbred
The Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards will have a strong Western Australian flavour at a function in Brisbane on Sunday, October 8, 2017.
Seven part-owned Western Australian gallopers are in contention across seven categories to take out Australian thoroughbred racing’s highest honours.
The Darren Weir-trained Black Heart Bart has been nominated for Champion Sprinter of the Year and Champion Middle Distance Horse of the Year.
The son of Blackfriars, who started his racing career in Perth under the guidance of Vaughn Sigley, won a string of Group 1 races at Caulfield.
His launched a successful season in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) and continued in the Underwood (1800m), Orr Stakes (1400m) and Futurity Stakes (1400m).
Malaguerra, raced by Perth businessman Bruno Micalizzi and trained by Peter Gelagotis at Moe, is up against Black Heart Bart in Champion Sprinter of the Year.
The Magnus gelding earned his nomination after winning the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington and the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Monee Valley.
Star Exhibit, part of leading owner-breeder Bob Peters’ powerful team, transferred to Victoria’s top trainer, Darren Weir after ending 2016 in style.
He finished strongly to take out the Listed ATA Stakes (2200m) and backed up in the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) with an exciting win over Neverland.
Star Exhibit, a son of Statue Of Liberty, kicked off his Melbourne career in flying fashion when he won the Listed Anniversary Vase Stakes (1440m) at Caulfield first-up.
The six-year-old is up against Melbourne Cup hero, Almandin, Big Duke, Hartnell and Jameka in Champion Stayer of the Year.
Top filly She Will Reign, part-owned by John Stone in Carine, capped a sensational maiden campaign with a brilliant win in the world’s richest juvenile race: the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill.
The daughter of Manhattan Rain, trained by Gary Portelli and ridden by Ben Melham in the Slipper, was bought for a modest $20,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale and completed four wins from her first five career starts.
She Will Reign, Blue Diamond (1200m) champion Catchy, Magic Millions Classic hero, Houtzen, Invader and Pariah are chasing honours as Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year.
Global Glamour, raced by a syndicate of female owners including Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) General Manager Racing, Charlotte Mills, is a Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year nominee.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at Randwick, the Star Witness mare celebrated dual Group 1 success across two states in the Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
Global Glamour and the David Vandyke-trained, Yankee Rose, who became the first filly to take out the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) last October, will challenge Egg Tart, Foxplay and I Am A Star in Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.
Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year:
- Catchy
- Houtzen
- Invader
- Pariah
- She Will Reign
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly:
- Egg Tart
- Foxplay
- Global Glamour
- I Am A Star
- Yankee Rose
Champion Three-Year-old Colt
- Astern
- Extreme Choice
- Flying Artie
- Impending
- Russian Revolution
Champion Sprinter of the Year:
- Black Heart Bart
- Chautauqua
- Le Romain
- Malaguerra
- Redzel
Champion Middle Distance Horse of the Year:
- Black Heart Bart
- Hartnell
- It’s Somewhat
- Jameka
- Le Romain
- Winx
Champion Stayer of the Year:
- Almandin
- Big Duke
- Hartnell
- Jameka
- Star Exhibit
Champion Jumper of the Year:
- Ancient King
- Regina Coeli
- Renew
- Wells
- Zed Em
Julio Santarelli