Racing: Fate slings owners a winning filly

Singapore Sling provided one of the highlights on what was a busy day for the stewards at Te Rapa yesterday. Photo / Christine Cornege

Lisa Anderson and husband Grant were disappointed when they were under-bidders on a $50,000 Keep The Faith-Gin Sling filly at last year's Select Sale at Karaka.

So disappointed they immediately went back into the ring and bought the next lot, who was out of the same family, for $15,000.

Not long afterwards the agent who had bought the Keep The Faith filly approached to say his client had backed out. "So we bought her, too, for $50,000," said Anderson, after the $15,000 replacement, Singapore Sling, made a winning juvenile debut at Te Rapa yesterday.

Decisions initially disappointing can often prove to be otherwise for reasons of fate and the Andersons now have a valuable broodmare prospect in the daughter of Starcraft.

They would not have had her if their original purchase had been made in the sale ring.

Lisa Anderson cannot understand how she was able to pull the filly out of the sale for just $15,000.

It was the first year of selling the stock of Starcraft, who have since proved to be outstandingly successful, but even back in February last year before that success they were not exactly giving them away.

The same filly put in the ring today could bring $60,000-$70,000. "She's a lovely type physically. I don't know why she didn't bring money."

Singapore Sling had been impressive winning at the barrier trials as had another debut winner on the card, Phar Cry for Lorraine Sullivan.

Phar Cry landed some strong financial support and was a welcome-back card for rider Mark Hills, who missed some valuable racing when sidelined for a lengthy period with injury.

* * *

Jumps jockey Patrick Ormsby was suspended for one month for mistaking the rounds in the Porritt Sand Steeplechase.

Ormsby and the well-supported Smoke followed the course proper, as the remainder of the field headed into the centre of the course to complete the second round, and was pulled up.

Ormsby will ride at Manawatu on Saturday before beginning his one-month suspension.

His brother Chad suffered a suspected broken collarbone when he fell from Jailhouse in the same race.

* * *

Among a chapter of incidents in Race 7, the highweight, George The Great, shifted out slightly on the home bend just as Tsuular (Daniel Stackhouse) was improving around the outside.

Tsuular clipped heels and when he shifted out as a result he disorganised other runners improving to his outside. No rider was found to be to blame.

Closer to the finish, the eventual winner, Stagehand, shifted in and caused interference to two runners for which his rider, Isaac Lupton, was suspended for five racedays. Chad Ormsby was to have ridden Stagehand.

Richard Eynon received four racedays for interference in the same race.

* * *

Under-rated Matamata galloper Pindy collapsed and died while working on Tuesday morning. He was found to have burst an aorta.

Trained by Gary Hennessy, Pindy won nine of his 29 starts for $227,000.