Caviar’s sister on the gold trail
29 Jun 2012 | Racing Victoria Ltd Australian racing’s hottest sibling has been entered for Victoria’s rich new breeding and racing incentive scheme, VOBIS Gold, on the eve of Saturday's 30 June nomination deadline.
Black Caviar’s $2.6 million yearling half-sister - who’s been affectionately dubbed “Pippa” in honour of Princess Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton - is one of the many rising two-year-olds that will be competing for VOBIS Gold riches right throughout their racing career.
Purchased by BC3 Thoroughbreds for an Australian record price at this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, “Pippa” is currently in pre-training at Geelong Racecourse and making great progress.
BC3 Spokesman, Simon Marshall, said they are excited to be qualified for the VOBIS Gold riches and said that other owners would be “crazy” if they didn’t nominate their eligible horses by tomorrow’s deadline.
“It’s been a great initiative by Racing Victoria and the Minister for Racing Denis Napthine to introduce VOBIS Gold for owners and breeders,” Marshall said.
“All of BC3’s yearlings, including Pippa, have been entered for it as it would be remiss not to be involved given the great money on offer.”
The VOBIS Gold program will see nominated horses regularly race for $20,000 bonuses statewide their racing career, not just at two and three years of age.
These bonus races, of which a minimum of 50 will be programmed for the first crop of VOBIS Gold nominated horses next season, will be offered on top of the existing Super VOBIS bonus scheme.
Nominated two-year-olds, including “Pippa”, will also be eligible to enter five exclusive VOBIS Gold premier races, ranging in value from $100,000 to $280,000, next season.
All Super VOBIS qualified yearlings (2010 foals) are eligible to be nominated to VOBIS Gold for a one-off payment of just $1100. Entries must be lodged by midnight tomorrow, 30 June via www.vobisgold.com.au or by contacting Racing Victoria on (03) 9258 4694.
Marshall explained that “Pippa” is pleasing BC3’s pre-trainer, American horseman Kevin Newby, with her progress and is doing everything right thus far to justify her record price tag.
“She’s a Grade A student,” Marshall declared. “She’s moved into the Geelong Racecourse over the past week for some experience with the older horses and has adapted to it very well.
“You only have to show her once and she takes to it and she’s showing signs of being a real natural athlete....it’s only early days, but she’s certainly pleasing us with her progress.”
The public will get their first chance to see “Pippa” when she parades at the BC Future Stars Raceday at Geelong on Friday, 10 August.
In a unique concept, BC3 will gallop a number of its new two-year-olds in between races with the public able to secure ownership shares in the youngsters on the day.