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11.
Failed Sale Could Be A
Blessing
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12/6/2003 |
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The 2002 Australian Easter Yearling Sale began as a dream and ended as a
nightmare for Queensland breeders Ron and Debbie Gilbert.
The Gilberts’ Highgrove Stud offered a Danehill colt from the stakeswinner
Verocative and he brought a price to match his impeccable pedigree when knocked
down for $1.4 million to Eduardo Cojuangco’s Gooree Pastoral.
However 24 hours later the sale was declared void after the colt failed ant
x-ray examination, leaving Gooree unwilling to proceed with the sale.
“The x-rays revealed a minor problem that required surgery, delaying his
racing career and ruling out any chance of a Golden Slipper preparation,” said
Ron Gilbert.
“There was never any question that he wouldn’t recover and be a viable
racing proposition in time, however Gooree had bought the horse with the
specific purpose of aiming towards the Slipper.”
Gooree may now have cause to regret their decision not to keep the colt, now
named Critical List, as he has won his first barrier trial.
Critical List, now trained by Brian Mayfield-Smith for the Gilberts and their
close friends Chris and Jane Barham, scored an easy win in his first public
outing at the Cranbourne trials.
“Of course everyone says nice things about million dollar plus horses but this
one has a real professional attitude and a great temperament, he’s a high
quality horse with a lot of potential,” Mayfield-Smith said.
Critical List has now been turned for a short spell after completing his first
serious preparation and will return for the spring carnival.
“He’s done a great job, going from knowing absolutely nothing to two barrier
trials, both on slow and heavy ground which probably didn’t suit him,”
Mayfield-Smith said.
“He was just starting to get a bit tired, so we’ve put him out for a month
to avoid the really heavy winter tracks.
“He’s gone to the paddock sound and well, and he’s shown me he has the
ability. You never know exactly how far a horse can go, but at this point he’s
done everything you could ask.”
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