EQUINE CENTRE SEEKS FRIENDS

The University of Melbourne's Equine Centre at Werribee is recognised internationally as a premier veterinary practice, one where thousands of horses are treated and where important research is undertaken. The centre also provides for the training of veterinary students and it is currently undergoing a multi million dollar redevelopment - the first phase of which was completed late last year.

The second phase, which requires a budget of $5 million, will see the construction of two new surgeries, a teaching complex and a reproduction centre. Money is currently being raised and members of the public can help by becoming "Friends of the Equine Centre" or taking part in a "Buy A Brick" campaign.

The latter - at a cost of $500, sees donors receive a plaque inscribed with their name or business which will be placed on a brick inset in a specially painted mural at the centre.

In conjunction with its fund raising campaign, the centre has appointed four official ambassadors from different sections of the horse industry - breeder and racehorse owner Adam Sangster, trainer George Hanlon, champion harness racing driver Kerryn Gath and Olympic Gold Medallist Andrew Hoy.

AUSTRALASIANS FARING WELL IN AMERICA

Hot on the heels of Azeri, a daughter of Jade Hunter and the Australian mare Zodiac Miss (winner of the Listed Great Western Stakes at Moonee Valley on W.S Cox Plate Day 1991 and the Group 3 2Y0 Classic at Newcastle in March
1992) being announced the American Horse of the Year came a longshot Santa Anita victory by the former Perth mare Brocky's Dream.

The winner of her last two in the United States, the daughter of Land Speed Record is one of many Australasian horses who have proven victorious in America over the past year or so. Others include:

• Master Belt: 2001 NZ 2000 Guineas - a Grade 3 winner at Santa Anita last November.

• Old Money: 2000 WA Oaks, C.B. Cox Stakes, WA Derby - a winner at Fair Grounds in late December.

• I'm The Business: Twice stakes placed in New Zealand - had a busy 2002 in the US and raced consistently, winning once at Bay Meadows and twice at Del Mar.

• Teebar: Eagle Farm winner - successful at Hollywood Park.

• Max Power: Melbourne sprinter who won two of three for David Hall - has raced well over longer trips in the US, winning at Santa Anita and Del Mar last year.

• Monterey Bay: winner of the Eulogy Stakes in New Zealand and fourth in last year's NZ Oaks -third at her recent American debut in a Santa Anita allowance.

• Northern Crown: won three races in New Zealand - won two claiming races in Southern California in January/February.

• Bonotto: Listed winner at Sandown - has won several races in the US and at eight years of age is back in work and close to resuming.

• Heritiere: Former Gai Waterhouse trained mare who won last year's Listed Silk Stocking at the Gold Coast - a last start second in an allowance at Gulfstream Park on January 15.

• Miss Puzzle: Stakes placed winner of two races in New Zealand - a winner at Hollywood Park last November and twice in the placings in two runs this year.

• Sister Patricia: Perth Group 3 winner who was second to Slavonic in the 1999 Group 1 Railway Stakes - twice the winner at Santa Anita in January and February.

• Grandiser: three times metropolitan winner in Sydney before being banned after two bleeding attacks - a Listed winner at Santa Anita in February.

• Caramel Queen: a winner in New Zealand in October 2001 and Group 3 placed - in the placings at her last two American starts in claimers at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita in December/January.

• Zabenz: winner of last year's Grand National Hurdle at Flemington - took out a Grade 1 handicap chase at Saratoga last August.

• Janeian: won three times in New Zealand - placed in an allowance at Santa Anita at her American debut on January 19.

• Final Destination: dual Group 1 winner in New Zealand - Grade 2 winner on turf at Santa Anita on February 17.

Also racing recently in the United States have been the former Australasian gallopers Stuttgart, Ghostsong, Now Voyager, Tangara, Able Hero, Taylorman, Thunderman, Top Spinner, Arrow Angel and Cleopatra.

BLUE DIAMOND WINNER PASSES AWAY

Let's Get Physical, winner of the 1985 Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, passed away in early February, aged 20.

A talented sprinter who won six of his 15 starts, the Robert Smerdon trained colt kicked off his career at Werribee 18 years ago - winning by three lengths before victories at Moonee Valley and Caulfield.

A long neck Blue Diamond victory over Acumen came at only his fourth start and he then travelled to Sydney where he was second to Asarka in the Todman Slipper Trial, a virus ruling him out of the Golden Slipper on race morning.

Returning to the track a winner at three, the grey overcame interference at the start of the San Domenico Stakes to win the Group 3 event by nearly a length. Close up in the Group 3 Up & Coming Stakes and the Group 3 Roman Consul Stakes at his next two outings, he then took out the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick.

Back to Melbourne, he took on the older horses in the Group 2 Moir Stakes on W.S Cox Plate Day (that year the great race was won by Rising Prince who coincidentally also died recently), finishing a game second to Aquilone - Rory's Jester third. Unplaced at his next four outings, he was retired in 1986.

As a stallion Let's Get Physical failed to sire anything of his own ability but he nevertheless proved a handy "bread and butter" stallion, 73 of his 138 runners being winners - including the Group 2 Chirnside Stakes winner Green Sweeper.

RACING MUSEUM LAUNCHES AUTUMN EXHIBITION

"Yee-hah! The business of breeding" is the Australian Racing Museum's latest exhibition. Launched in early February, it runs until May 5 - its aim to educate racegoers as to what goes on "behind the equine contests waged on the track."

Described as "a light-hearted commentary into what is a serious industry," the exhibition looks at pedigrees, the mating process, the rearing and selling of young horses, the origins of the Stud Book, the development of the Australian
thoroughbred and issues such as artificial insemination and the x-raying of yearlings before sale. A number of items of interest will also be on show.

From the gavel used by auctioneer Simon Vivian to knock down the record sale of the NZ$3.6 million dollar yearling who now races as Don Eduardo to the breeding boots worn by Ethereal when she was mated with Giant's Causeway, the exhibition has something to interest everyone.

Coming up at the Museum, which is housed at Caulfield Racecourse, is the "Melbourne Comedy Festival Exhibition - Laugh at Racing" an exhibition which coincides with Melbourne's internationally renowned Comedy Festival. Aptly,
it opens on April Fools Day and it runs through to May 5.