Newsletter
Welcome to the December 2011 newsletter
LATEST STABLE NEWS
- Grass Track Circuit commences
- Central District Circuit kicks in
- Summer Fun Syndicate Set to See Alta Cleopatra commence career for syndicate and stable
Photos and Horse Updates
Horse Updates continued and News
White Star Stables Runner at Cambridge Workouts
Nicky is Santa's Pick!
Alta Cleopatra at first workout for Summer Fun Syndicate - Cambridge Raceway - 17 December 2011
Stable Updates:
Alien Waits: Has moved on to Perth, Australia, where his owners are based. Had been in work for some time and expect to see him start in Australia in the not too distant future.
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Aquataine: Has continued on in very consistent fashion with 10 starts this preparation resulting in 3 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third. Continues to thrive and races on through the summer period.
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Horses due back to racing through the summer period:
Benji Maguire, Secret Love, Leroy Brogden, Diamond Smile, O'Sheas, President Tomado, Precious Mach, J D's Chrimar
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Benji Maguire - Had his first start for his 3yr old preparation at Alexandra Park on Friday 2 December. While on the face ot it the run was a bit disappointing, the race was one of the fastest run on the night.
Look for natural improvement from here on.
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Secret Love: Debut run for 3 yr old season was a terrific one at Alexandra Park on Friday 2 December. She ran 5th and as with Benji Maguire, look for natural improvement.
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President Tomado - Owners decided not to breed with the mare this season so she is back at the workouts with a view to the grass track country cups during the summer period.
Alta Cleopatra - Once again the Summer Fun No. 1 Syndicate has a horse preparing for the grass track circuit over December/January. "Cleo" had her first work out start at Cambridge on 17 December and went well showing a glimse of what could be a really fun time over the coming weeksfor the syndicate members.
Staff Updates:
About 18 horses are now in work over the summer period with a number to compete over the grass track circuit and central districts tracks.
The first of the grass track days is Wanganui on Sunday 18 December with 6 of the team set to travel - Bettor's Image, O'Sheas, Leroy Brogden, Diamond Smile, J D's Chrimar and President Tomado.
Mac Robinson - Mac continues to help out on a part-time basis at the stables, working Wednesday's and Fridays.. His input and experience will be more relied upon because of the departure of Emma and Alan as mentioned above. There will be more driving experience for him in upcoming weeks and months with the increase in Amateur Driving Events at tote meetings. Mac is, of course, now qualified to participate in having been registered as an Advanced Amateur Driver.
Zoey - Zoey is the most "senior/long term" employee and continues to provide ground work assistance to the stable. nd she has increased her time at the stable to most mornings and afternoons if she is required.
Megan Teaz - Junior Driver Megan has joined the team on a permanent part time basis working Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. She is able to drive fast work so once the racing team gets up and running, she and Mac will be able to assist Nicky get those horses ready for upcoming assignments.
Young Horses:
Mary Anastasia: 2009 2 Br f Courage Under Fire-Drums Of Time. Had first preparation is is currently spelling.
Lyn's Delight: 2009 2 Br f Bettor's Delight-Attsa Nice. Nice first filly out of the good mare Attsa Nice - bred and owned by Alan and Lyn Messenger of Inglewood now long time clients of White Star Stables.
Goals for 2011/2012 Season:
Nicky is looking to maximise opportunities for the type of horses she has in work.
By her own admission, Nicky does not have the classic horses or the big budget owners behind her, and with a relatively small team worked at White Star Stables, the ratio of wins over the last couple of seasons has been consistent.
Nicky's goal for her driving continues to be as consistent as she can. Obviously she drives the majority of her own team in races but those outside drives she gets she gives 100%. She watches recordings of all races she drives in as soon as she can when they are still fresh in her mind - analysing her own drive and that of others. When the fields come out she looks back at the other horses and assesses the racing styles of her competition. Nicky will continue to drive at the central district meetings and grass track circuit during summer (which is not too far away now).
"Whether good money or bad money, being in the harness racing industry is a life-style. It's really hard work but the rewards are often exhilarating." (Nicky Chilcott)
Sponsorship:
Whales Hotline - has continued to assist Nicky during the season and she thanks Craig Thompson for the continued sponsorship. (See Nicky's skull cap on a photo within this website).
Summer Fun Syndicate:
Nicky says:
“Well after the huge success and all the fun we had with Handy Knight it is going to be a hard act to follow but I am hoping I have found a worthy replacement. I have had trouble finding a suitable horse this year but have just secured a lovely little mare by boom sire Bettors Delight called Alta Cleopatra. Now affectionately known as Cleo, she had 8 starts last year for some handy placings but although she had a nice turn of speed she was too weak to finish off so now after a nice long spell she has strenghtened up and will hopefully be able to win some races. Cleo has been back in work 2 weeks now so will be a while away from doing anything too serious.”
As above - Alta Cleopatra ran at the Cambridge Workouts on Saturday 17 December and pleased Nicky.
She is looking to have her first start for the syndicate on the grass at Waipa (Te Awamutu) at the Cambridge/Te Awamutu HRC meeting on Thursday 29 December 2011.