A huge weekend has the Eden Racing stable full of smiles after a quiet couple of weeks. 6 runners for 3 wins, and 3 placings. Friday night Shea took a team of 3 horses to the Cranbourne Night races which proved to only be just the beginning of a successful weekend. Teretoa (7yo gelding, His Royal Highness x Nevada) kicked things off with a nice 2nd placing in the fifth race of the night. This was followed by the zippy Snip The Dancer (4yo gelding, Snippetson x Fly Miss) running a close up 3rd for Chris Symons. The third runner for the team came in the last race with Trinity House (5yo mare, Fastnet Rock x Rainshine) under Vlad Duric swooping from the tail of the field to steal the win by a tiny margin. In conditions that were less than favourable for the daughter of Fastnet Rock, and on a leader’s track, she knuckled down well to give the owners a great thrill winning a Showcase race. Congratulations to Mayford Park, Mr A M Pratt, Mr R Simpson, Mr T J Werner, Mr A Thomas, Mr F Gibbons, Mr R W Leon, Mr G Knol, Mr D Knol, Mr S E Field, Mr M C Price, Ms J Eriksson.
Saturday saw Shea take the one horse to Bendigo in Chilly Reception (5yo gelding, Snowland x Phone Pal). A horse that has had all the bad luck in the world in all his starts this prep, finally had things go his way in the final race of the day. Coming from a wide gate, jockey Jake Noonan was posted three deep just off the leaders when he made the decision to get to the front at the 800m. It was here he stayed and Chilly Reception posted the win by a neck. He has had a fairly frustrating preparation and Shea was thrilled to get him over the line. Congratulations to Lucky & Browny Racing, Mr R L Gaylard, W A H A S U, D F M, Nordest, J A C 1, Mr I F Fountain, Mr C C Johnstone, Mr D L Garnham, Herbooper.
Sunday turned on a hot 30degrees for the trip to Seymour with Projects and Novaspirit. The 1200m trip saw Projects (6yo gelding, Show a Heart x Our Teacher’s Pet) sit just outside the leader to kick away at the top of the straight for his 4th career win under Vlad Duric. He looked a treat in the mounting yard and if you were backing on looks and condition, he was never going to get beaten. Congratulations to owners the O’Brien family (Kevin, Tanith and James) who are huge supporters of the Eden Racing team. The O’Briens also own Novaspirit (6yo mare, Bel Esprit x Nova Glen) who ran a close 3rd in the second last race to wind up an exciting weekend for the team.
Shea is lucky enough to have a great support team and staff who do a wonderful job behind the scenes and a big thankyou to strapper Jess, who strapped all three winners.
We have two runners today at Pakenham in Deepwell Station (5yo gelding, Tiger Hill (IRE) x Viva Regina) and Arlington Park (5yo gelding, Churchill Downs x Rulan Ruby). Best of luck to all connections and let’s hope the good roll continues!