Scusa a bright spring prospect

3 June 2014

A lucrative spring has been tipped for the well-related juvenile Scusa after he opened his account at Ellerslie on Queen’s Birthday Monday. A brave fourth in the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes at his previous appearance, he finished strongly for his first career success under leading apprentice Rory Hutchings.

“He took a little while to get into his rhythm and we were a couple of spots further back than I would have liked,” he said.

“His experience definitely helped him and I was able to work into the race and then peel of their backs.”

Co-trainer Graeme Rogerson purchased Scusa for $34,000 out of WS’s Select Sale draft at Karaka last year.

“He’s just got better and better and I think he’s a Guineas horse,” Rogerson said. “We’ll see whether he goes again or we turn him out.”

By No Excuse Needed, he is a brother to the Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes winner Take The Rap from the family of the champion stallion O’Reilly

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.