THE impact of the global financial crisis, about which champion US trainer Steve Asmussen is wary, should bite at the Magic Millions yearling sales on the Gold Cost this week. "Speaking about our stable, there are going to be cutbacks," Asmussen said. "I just get-up every day and work with what I've got."
Last year, Asmussen became the first trainer to prepare more than 600 winners in a season. Getting to this figure, Asmussen, 43, had 2909 starters for a remarkable 21 per cent winning rate, reaping stable earnings of $US23.9 million. The Texan achieved the previous best 555 in 2002. By comparison, the leading Australian last season, David Hayes, had 249 winners from 1985 starters, with the best strike rate coming from Gai Waterhouse with 107 from 447, just ahead of Peter Snowden 112-561. Asmussen put his figures down to owners and a great team effort, particularly from his assistant trainers. "It wasn't going to happen without them," he said. Historically, big spenders have come to the fore in times of need, even last year in Australia when sceptics felt the economic situation would influence the sales. It wasn't this bad, though.
Healthy statistics
Victorian racing has two healthy demographics: the 18-24 age group being the best "consumer" and women making up 46 per cent of racegoers.
Canadian Gerry Wood, a racing enthusiast and annual visitor to Sydney tracks, reports that Toronto's Woodbine, one of the great centres, is supported by "aged" patronage with very little female attendance due to lack of facilities. Prizemoney, though, is good because of the on-course slot machines, which also stimulates racing in the US. The 18-24 age group, according to "Racing To 2020", the Victorian thoroughbred industry business plan, is on 334,900 with the next best category being "55-plus" at 176,800. Alas, the survey doesn't list how many "consumers" leave the track sober. Maybe that comes out in the total attendance: 1.6m, topping those "interested" in racing (1.5m). The Victorian economy benefits from racing by about $1.95 billion.
Old-timers shine
Last week, veterans, headed by the eight-year-old mare Langfibian in the Bat Out Of Hell on the Gold Coast, made their presence felt. Nine-year-old Electric Hatter had a return to his youth under Kathy O'Hara, taking the Luskin Star Handicap at Randwick, and Kel Chapman, 79, training since 1954, scored with Going Spending in the Rancher Handicap at Caulfield. And the best old-timer of them all, Takeover Target, the outstanding nine-year-old, won't go to New Zealand but will be saved for the T J Smith at Randwick on April 18.
No fun in that
Australian Jockey Club bashing has all the sport of shooting a rabbit in a trap. Certainly the administration cannot be blamed for the slack second day of the Randwick autumn carnival, Monday, April 13. Once the Easter Monday meeting featured outstanding events but this year has the Hallmark Stakes, Keith McKay and Fernhill, all for $110,000. Another point of contention is the AJC Derby prizemoney of $1.6m compared to the Doncaster's $2m. It doesn't suit the purists but the handicap, in my opinion, has produced better horses in recent times and is a superior punting medium. Incidentally, word was out at Randwick on Saturday that Richard Freedman, the executive director of operations, was lingering around the weighing room doing a time-and-motion study on employees. A wag quipped somebody should do one on AJC executives. Anyway, revolt is again in the air with Randwick trainers who signed stable leases last year on the agreement that the ramshackle establishments would be brought up to scratch. So far there has been little activity.
Hobartville looms
Youthful Jack will be set for the Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill on February 28, trainer Allan Denham says.
Horse to follow
Unbeaten Melbourne filly Rostova , a debut winner at Flemington in November, resumes at Caulfield on January 26 and trainer Steven Richards says she "looks super and has strengthened. She went out at the top of her game".
Disappointing
Another Saturday at Randwick; too many small fields of suspect quality on a track that favoured those on the pace. Why can Queensland sustain top Saturdays and NSW not?
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