Ready to Race preparations often uncover gems that would be lost in a different sales catalogue. This morning’s fast work was a case in point.
A chestnut colt with a baldy white face and four white stockings blasted past me on the track at around 7.15am, prompting a series of surprised exclamations (some of which can’t be repeated !). I was photographing near the top of the straight at the time but something about this copper coloured bombshell made me swing the camera aside and yell down to the main group in the middle paddock “Who on earth was THAT????”. Of note, the professional photographers who were 300m along from me called out exactly the same question at exactly the same time.
Tarryn and Michael were too busy grinning; actually they momentarily shared a look of parents watching a gifted child. They knew what they were looking at. His name is SPHEKEPHEKE and he is a half brother to Listed winner CAST A SPELL. His dam - Flying Magic - has had 5 to the track for 5 winners. This bloke looks like he is going to keep the trend intact.
Meanwhile I was reviewing my Platinum Dozen list and wondering who falls out to let this talented youngster in …
15 lots later another colt caught my eye - and 2 strings later - a filly had the same effect. The adrenalin was , by now, surging. It surged even more when I discovered that these 2 flying machines were by the ‘sleeper’ stallion in the Summerhill ranks, Deep Sleep. Deep Sleep broke his maiden in Stakes company and defeated some of Europe’s top sprinters at Graded Stakes level. He won twice at listed level and once at Gr 3 level but let’s face it - for whatever the reason/fashion (or otherwise) he hasn’t been that commercial to date.
Swings and roundabouts. His oldest are 2Yo’s. I just wonder you know …
Anyway, mark your catalogues. The chestnut filly by Deep Sleep ex Dancing Firelight (dam of the Gr 1 placed Fork Lightening) and the bay colt by Deep Sleep ex Amusing are ones to keep an eye on. Whilst you’re at, watch out for the chestnut filly by Lavery ex Killaney Road - she was out to set a land speed record at 3/4 pace as well.
It was a chilly morning at the track. The wind was blowing a gale, wattle trees were almost bent double, the clouds were scurrying across an overcast sky, yet it was simply exhilerating to be standing there (shivering) and seeing so many of these youngsters unveiling their born talent - to run.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 07:18AM 
