Toughness and a will to win are often highlighted in neck and neck struggles down racetrack straights. On Wednesday at Sandown in Race 3 two horses singled out for such a duel settling first and second after the jump and maintaining those spots to the finish of the $50,000 Ladbrokes Switch Hcp over 1300m.
Fresh up from a spell it was Raise ‘Em Up a son of Needs Further who jumped straight to the front, led, stacked them up and then kicked 450m from home. The only challenger as they toughed it out was the even money favourite, another 4YO Shotmaker a son of Shooting To Win. They quickly put a gap on the others including Early Morning Rise (Fastnet Rock) whose challenge was short lived.
Racehorses often show trainer’s glimpses of talent, but need to mature to really cement this into their form. Young up and coming trainer Matthew Brown bought the son of Needs Further for $40,000 at the Tasmanian Magic Millions Sales and promptly tipped stable clients and family into the horse.
Raise ‘Em Up raced twice as a 2YO debuting over 1400m before tackling the VRC Byerley Hcp 1800m for 3YO’s. He then ran three times placed at 1600, 1750, and 2049m before he was tried in the 2200m Listed Geelong Derby Trial. Matthew knew he had the talent, but patience was required. He returned in the autumn for a placing first up at Kilmore over 1450m before taking out his maiden over 1600m.
So plaudits must go to Matthew for a top training effort. Raise ‘Em Up’s win at Sandown was the shortest race he has contested, his tactical speed allowed him to jump and lead then his fitness/stamina allowed him to fight them all off at his first start in 5 months.
Raise ‘Em Up’s sire Needs Further is an interesting case study when breeders try and compare stallions. He has been relocated from Tasmania to Aquis farm Victoria this season in an attempt to access better mares. He stands for an advertised fee of $13,750 incl GST payable on live foal.
His results from his initial seasons in Tasmania are outstanding. Mystic Journey 19 starts 11 wins and $3,747,600 in stakes is just one clue in the puzzle.
4.3% Stakeswinners to Runners is another important clue. At time of writing he compares favourably with other stallions like All Too Hard 4.4%, Shooting To Win 1.8%, Fiorente 3.3%, Rubick 2.2% plus Toronado and Akeed Mofeed 0.9% and 2.1% respectively as seen in the table below.
