St Basil
The Basics
| Record: | 34 starts, 5 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds |
|---|---|
| Sire: | Vettori (IRE) |
| Sex: | gelding |
| Earnings: | $1,080,650 |
| Region: | South East Queensland |
Tags
Vettori (IRE) - Dewamar (AUS) (Marscay (AUS))
Trainer: Bevan Laming (Cranbourne)
$1,080,650 prizemoney
34 starts, 5 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds.
1st – 2005 Stradbroke Handicap,
2nd – 2005 BTC Cup, 2004 Hollindale Stakes. 2004 Doomben Carnival Cup
3rd – 2004 Salinger Stakes, 2004 Stradbroke Handicap
Veteran grey St Basil threw off his tag as one of racing's unluckiest horses when he produced a sizzling finishing burst to win the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in 2005.
Trainer Bevan Laming said at the time he had been starting to think nothing would go right for the eight-year-old, whose run of poor luck began in 2004's Stradbroke when he missed the start by four lengths before flying home for third.
A flashing late 3rd to Takeover Target in the Salinger in the 2004 Spring showed his potential then a 2nd in April 2004 in the BTC Cup confirmed it.
He in fact became the oldest Stradbroke winner since 6YO Innisfree won in 1978. During the race Michael Cahill allowed the grey to drift back from barrier 17, staying out of trouble while covering ground with a trail into the race. There was speed to burn up front which suited his style but his win should never be underestimated as he faced one of the best fields in years with G1 opponents the likes of Perfect Promise, Shamekha, Patezza, Dance Hero, Takeover Target & Yell. Dance Hero, Takeover and Hidden Dragon keep blazing up front until the last furlong when St Basil, Perfect Promise, Shamekha and Patezza all flew over them.
Bevan Laming tried him again a year later however St Basil didn't much like the wet track coming 8th.