NSW Tycoons owners made it to the big stage at Royal Randwick on Saturday and smashed the ball out of the park with Northern Eyes making it 4 straight wins. Wow!
Winning one race is hard enough, going back-to-back tremendous, to complete a hat-trick a rare feat but for Northern Eyes to build the picket fence to 4 wins – well that is truly remarkable.
ONLY 29 WINS TO GO TO EQUAL WINX
Maybe it was an omen.
Kim and Mark Waugh had some time out at the movies on Wednesday night and watched the Winx movie, which chronicles the remarkable champion and her 33 successive wins.
The cricket legend and part-owner was all smiles after the race and recounted a light-hearted conversation with Kim from during the week at the cinema.
“Northern Eyes had won 3 in a row and I said to Kim at the Winx premiere we only have 30 to go to equal Winx’s record, that’s now down to 29 more wins, so there you go” Mark joked.
Mark and some key stable supporters took the other 50% of the horse and he has no doubt there are bigger and better things to come for Northern Eyes.
“I think he will keep improving, he’s only lightly raced and I don’t think we’ve gotten to the bottom of him yet” Mark Waugh said.
Royal Randwick racecard and Northern Eyes owner tag
Trainer Kim Waugh and Jockey Tommy Berry
MIDWAY A STIFF TEST
After drawing barrier 13 for his stiffest test yet, trainer Kim Waugh was uncertain whether to head to Randwick or not.
But after analyzing the field early morning on Saturday before scratchings Kim decided to roll the dice and every NSW Tycoons owner will now be forever grateful.
Jay Ford had ridden Northern Eyes in his previous 3 wins but had an early booking for Byron and was unable to gain a release, don’t worry Jay tried.
Mind you Tommy Berry is a pretty good replacement and pre-race he said “We will try and use his early speed from the wide gate, cross the field and sit outside the leader”.
Well, it’s not often plans come to fruition but on this occasion it did.
Northern Eyes produces terrific early tactical speed and after beginning like a greyhound crossed and sat outside the leader.
“Great training performance by Kim, he was presented really well, he’s one of the easiest horses I’ve had to ride.
“That initial speed he has from the barriers makes your job easy, he’s pretty push button.
“I thought he was going to kick away but he sort of waits for another challenger to come and when it does he responds.
“I feel like we could have gone another 100 metres and still won.”
HE’S PULLED UP GREAT
Northern Eyes has early tactical speed, settles well, conserves energy, produces a good kick, is tough in a finish and is now a proven winner – that ticks a lot of boxes.
He’s also a gentleman around the stable.
“To win 4 in a row is rare, he’s pulled up well, he’s loving life at the moment and thinks he’s pretty special, well he is to us.
“He’s bright as a button, trotted up great, the legs are cold, he’s really on top of his game.
“We will just see how he does this week, there’s a couple of options in a fortnight.
A Benchmark 78 1400m and there’s a Benchmark 72 Mile option but he would get a fair bit of weight in that and we would have to claim. I’m not too sure, I would want to do that” Kim said.
As always Kim will keep all owners informed.
Eyes on the prize in the parade ring at Randwick
NSW Tycoons owners cheering Northern Eyes at Randwick
MONTHLY AND NOW SEASON BIG CASH HOTS UP
The NSW Tycoons have made a blistering start to Month 11 of Season 3 and are also starting to loom as a threat to the Qld Rogues for an overall season cash windfall of $50,000.
Courtesy of Etched In Time winning on the first day of Spring and now Northern Eyes success at Randwick, the Tycoons have shot to a big lead on the Monthly table with Qld Rogues second while the Vic Husslers are just warming up.
Helluva Barty was good for the Queenslanders finishing third on Saturday, while the Rogues young horses Bollinger Miss and Cantankerous are due to hit the track before the end of the month.
The Vic Husslers have Pardon My French heading to Morphettville this coming Saturday so with only 7 weeks remaining till the end of the season the battle for the Big Cash is on and it looks like going down to the wire.
Good luck everyone.
