A Great Shot at Future Features
7 July, 2016
Owners
O
OWNERS
Jockey Craig Staples has played a crucial role in swaying owners, Frank and May Edwards to keep outstanding three-year-old talent, Great Shot, in Western Australia.
The Magnus gelding was in danger of being shipped overseas after the husband and wife team received offers in excess of $1 million from Hong Kong buyers.
Interest for Great Shot soared after he posted a devastating win in last month’s Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m), a 4 ¼ length triumph boosted his growing reputation.
Great Shot, who cost the Edwards’ a modest $31,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions Perth yearling sales, is being touted as a Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) contender in November.
Frank Edwards admitted the international interest in Great Shot was flattering and financially significant, but said sage advice from Staples had influenced his decision.
“Craig asked me if I got the money what would I do with it and I said I would I would buy another horse,” Edwards said on TABradio.
“He then said what would I be looking for and I said another horse like Great Shot.
“He said you have gone so long to get one and you are not going to get another like him.
“He is of course right, but I have to consider the offers from people who are professional and deserve respect.
“Unless something more mind blowing than the horse comes along we will probably continue racing him.
“It’s certainly nice when you think about it and it would certainly pay some bills you have, but we are having a lot of fun with the horse.”
Staples was also instrumental in linking the Edwards’ with the Radford family, former trainer, Warren, who retired in 2015 and his son, Rhys, who has put the polish on Great Shot since he debuted at Pinjarra last year.
“I’ve always admired Craig because he has ridden for us before and he is always so honest,” Edwards said.
“I asked him for a list of trainers to look at and we originally went to Warren who had just retired.
“I wondered if we should stay or should we go, but I knew Warren was going to be in the background behind Rhys.
“Warren has been a very good trainer all his life and is a down to earth person.
“He will tell you what he thinks and treats his horses like family.
“Rhys has been absolutely fantastic and I think of him like a son.”
Great Shot’s rise has come at the perfect time for Frank and May Edwards who have both retired after 40 years in the medical profession.
“I think people are more important to May and I than what money is,” Edwards said.
“We are having fun and I would like to keep the association going.”
Julio Santarelli