The corner with Garry Chittick

It is said “One door closes another opens“, the demise of racing in Singapore appears to have injected more enthusiasm in Malaysia.

The time I have been in the industry covers many ebbs and flows, in my early days Malaysia and Hong Kong were equally important to our endeavours. Hong Kong as we know has galloped ahead, Singapore became recognised as a well-run racing jurisdiction, regretfully winding down in recent years exacerbated by a lack of any Government support.

Over the Causeway, Malaysia had developed a dubious reputation, racing appearing to be run for the benefit of few. There were of course those who shared a passion for the sport whom as they aged moved on. Tey Choo Beng, Ananda Krishnan were strong men who moved their interests to Australia. Ananda established the Malaysia National Stud in an attempt to encourage more domestic involvement – I know having stayed there with my daughter and then-son-in-law who managed the stud for a period.

It was a brave attempt to rear horses in very different circumstances to most of the world . My lasting impression was the constant battle with monkeys both in and outside the house. So, it is great to see renewed enthusiasm, I understand around forty racing club members attended our Ready to Run Sale with the intent to purchase up to forty horses. The morning interview with the Club’s Chairman and Chief Executive was a positive breath of fresh air, more importantly, the racing fraternity as a whole were very concerned as to the future of the Singapore-trained horses, their Chief Executive assured us that 80% were likely to finish up across the Causeway, if so, it is a great result.

They may have achieved their target of forty horses, it would not have been easy, the sale was a vendors’ delight. The record price was set by the powerhouse Te Akau, out of a wonderful Savabeel mare Shillelagh – winner of eight races including two Group 1 successes. The breeders Chris and Susanna Grace are original shareholders in Savabeel, they are genuine racing enthusiasts and important clients, so it was great to witness such a result. At $1,650,000 it was inevitable they would retain a share, and why not?

We too could have participated, but you must appreciate we are looking down the track at the horse’s likelihood of going to stud. He undoubtedly will with a couple of wins on board, however, our broodmare band proudly includes 80 daughters of Savabeel, you can see our problem. Good luck to them all.

The spread of buyers just confirms my concern about New Zealand’s ability to provide enough product in the future. I have in recent past Corners raised the issue of sire supply. The likelihood of more than one in twenty becoming above average, not elite, will not change so our ten prospects over the last four seasons is slim odds.

We constantly review all prospects in both hemispheres, I have scanned a list of 150 Northern Hemisphere recently. Of course, there are prospects, unfortunately, we are not the only ones scanning. You have heard it all before, my point is just when prospects start looking up we are going to struggle to take advantage of any change. There is no doubt New Zealand’s lift in stakes has lifted a great deal of the previous gloom. I wonder if many of us take the time out to consider where we would be without the enterprise and enthusiasm of our wagering partner.

Great to see Te Aroha racing again, it is a unique environment that I enjoy, great to see the courage of Waikato racing with at least a vision for their future, great to see Ellerslie up and going.

Sad to see Hawke’s Bay racing struggling to move forward,I won’t express my view on their track solution, sad to see Manawatu out of action – I am told March and they will be racing, maybe but we all know how long it takes for a new track to settle.

Sad to feel the mixed reactions to synthetic tracks, a combined investment of $40 million, it will be interesting to read the result of the current review.

Sad to watch the Hikoi, they say 40 thousand, maybe, I hope the ratio of adult to child changed from the early stage of fifty-fifty if not I suppose the financial consequences are less.

Sad to see Parliament reduced to a playground for adults, then again, I remind you of my father telling me not to be too disappointed when reaching adulthood on finding adults are just bigger versions of what they were.

I am pleased I am not the Prime Minister.

Cheers,
G