War God Rewards Patient Owners
6 July, 2018
Owners
The moral of the War God story is to hold the faith and not give up.
It’s also about timing and serendipity, being in the right place at the right time.
That sentiment that can be easier said than done, particularly as an owner, when the financial outlays don’t match the returns.
That was the case facing War God’s owners, who race the gelding under the umbrella of Perth syndicator, Bruce Saxild and his Oz Racing operation.
With a less than flattering start to War God’s racing career, several syndicate members opted to bow out and cut their losses in the Neville Parnham-trained galloper
Saxild attempted to talk them out of relinquishing their interest in War God, but after he failed to salute the judge in his first 14 starts and ran a disappointing second in a Kalgoorlie maiden, they ran out of patience.
But in a harsh and cruel twist that is not uncommon in racing, War God found his edge and two weeks ago pulled out a career-best win in the Listed Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont.
Defying his $18 starting price, War God snatched the lead inside the final 100m and raced away to score by a neck from Durendal with Rebel King filling the minor end of the placings.
For War God’s existing owners it was reward for patience, for his departed owners it was an opportunity lost.
Saxild admitted he had mixed feelings.
“As long-term partners of Oz Racing I tried to talk them out of it, but failed,” Saxild said.
“I then decided to offer 5 % shares as a free raffle to current Oz Racing partners.
“At his next start with the new raffle owners on board he ran fourth at Pinjarra and then amazingly he just clicked and won three races in a row.
“The rest is history and he has now won eight races and been placed numerous times.
“He has continued to develop in every campaign and has worked his way through to open company.
“We have raced horses with Neville for 20 years and over that time we have learnt that when he tells you to stick-you stick!
“I feel disappointed for the partners that decided to get out of him before he started to put it all together.
“I wish they could have stayed in as they have been with me for many years.”
War God continues his campaign at Belmont on Saturday, looking for a winning double in the VALE Peter Miguel Handicap (1400m).
Julio Santarelli