Shuriken
Shuriken has taken the Toward Reward team and his ownership group on an amazing ride this preparation! Here’s a recap!
After his win on debut in Casterton, Shuriken took us to Flemington on Stakes Day for a Listed race, The Amanda Elliot. He drew an inside barrier, jumped well, and settled nicely in the run, where he rattled home late for sixth. He set the fifth fastest last 200m of the race on inferior ground after setting the slowest 600-400m split of the race.
His third career start was then on Ballarat Cup Day in the rich $175K John Jens VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockade, where he found a gap at the top of the straight in the small field and kicked for the win! He was followed by Street Delight, giving Wilde Racing the quinella.
And he didn’t stop there! Shuriken pulled up well out of Ballarat, and with his improved rating, there was no doubt he would make it into the field for the Group 2 Neds Sandown Guineas at Caulfield. So together with Wilde Racing, we opted for a quick 7-day backup.
Unfortunately, Shuriken drew barrier 16 and jumped from 14 after emergencies. He jumped well nonetheless and found a midfield spot with cover in the slow-tempo race. He had to travel seven wide into the straight and give a magnificent performance to run home from eleventh to fourth, only a stride away from second. He set the fastest last 600m, 400m and 200m splits of the race, and the fastest last 400m and 200m splits of the day outside of the 1000m Listed sprint race.
Shuriken will spend the next four to six weeks in the paddock enjoying a well-earned spell while the team at Wilde Racing plan his Autumn campaign. He rounded out his preparation with $157,500 in prizemoney. Not bad for a $15K Toward Reward purchase!
We’re sure we speak for his entire ownership group when we say we are so proud of Shuriken. He has given Toward Reward a dream start, and we can’t wait for his return to work! Below you’ll see some of our favourite photos of him from Flemington, Ballarat and Caulfield.
Shuriken on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the The Amanda Elliott at Flemington Racecourse on November 05, 2022 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos)
Magic Time ridden by Jordan Childs wins the The Amanda Elliott at Flemington Racecourse on November 05, 2022 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)
Shuriken ridden by Dean Yendall wins the John Jens VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockade at Ballarat Racecourse on November 19, 2022 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)
Shuriken ridden by Dean Yendall wins the John Jens VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockade at Ballarat Racecourse on November 19, 2022 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos)
See You In Heaven ridden by Craig Williams wins the Neds Sandown Guineas at Caulfield Racecourse on November 26, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)
Paulartes
Paulartes rounded out her preparation earlier this month with her first official jump out at Ararat. Her work has impressed the stable, and she continues to do everything right, but Wilde Racing noticed signs that she needs more time before she makes her race debut and moved her to the paddock. She’s been there for just under four weeks now and will look to make her return to the stables in the coming weeks. We’re excited to see what she has in store for her patient owners this preparation!
I’m Airborne
We’re excited to announce that our Harry Angel x Catskill Roc colt has finally received his official racing name, I’M AIRBORNE! Our thanks to his owners for giving the ownership group so many fantastic suggestions to vote on!
I’m Airborne has wrapped up his educational preparation in great order. Wilde Racing believed he would benefit from a spell and time to grow and develop physically and mentally, though they were impressed by his attitude, temperament and movement. We’re already looking forward to his return to the stables and seeing what he achieves next! You can watch the final two videos from his preparation below.
Our Valley Star
And last but certainly not least, it’s time for Our Valley Star to kick off his first preparation for his new ownership group! He will be collected from Advika Park early next week and moved to Stonewood in Mornington to commence his pre-training. Mariah from Stonewood does a fantastic job agisting and pre-training Patrick Kearney’s and Mike Moroney’s horses.
Our Valley Star will spend four to six weeks with Mariah before heading to Ballarat. Pat will put the polish on the horse and prepare him for his Toward Reward race debut in late February or early March!
Shares in Our Valley Star are still available but are selling quickly! Secure yours today by contacting Matt at matt@towardreward.com.au or 0429 207 891. You can find more information about the ready-to-race Zoustar gelding here.
