Celebrations All Round At Matamata

1 August 2011

Matamata trainer Andrew Scott celebrated a notable milestone on his home track today courtesy of a WS-bred and sold winner. The No Excuse Needed mare Excuse Me Madam provided him with his 500th training success when she came back from a lengthy lay-off to post her maiden victory.

“It’s really exciting and good to get it here – it’s a great thrill,” Scott said. “She’s a promising staying mare and we’ve been pretty busy with her at home getting her ready and I’m sure there’s more wins in store for her yet.”

The four-year-old’s two previous appearances had both result in placed efforts and the last of them nearly 12 months ago. “I worked her on Tuesday morning and she gave me the indication that she would be fit enough after such a long lay-off,” successful rider Michael Coleman said.

Excuse Me Madam was purchased by former champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan for $52,500 out of WS’s Select Sale draft to Karaka in 2008 and she is raced by a syndicate that includes his father Dave and the O’Sullivan Family Trust. She is a daughter of the Wairarapa Breeder’s Stakes winner and Gr 1 New Zealand Oaks runner-up Rampage Queen from the family of the Gr 1 Avondale Cup winner Eva Grace.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is not the easiest role, that of Chairman of our Thoroughbred Racing Board. Like all chairmanships, one’s mind is rarely not occupied with the responsibility. To our Chairman, I say thanks. A lifetime in the industry, Chairman of our largest club, it is difficult to identify someone more suited to the role.

14 May 2026

Sav’s girl Chispa targeting the Gr.1 Oaks

Savabeel filly Chispa enhanced her Queensland Oaks credentials with a dominant Randwick victory for Chris Waller and James McDonald, with the Pencarrow Stud-bred and raced filly surging clear over 1800 metres in impressive fashion.