Another calendar year has almost come and gone, but for us it’s done with our next runner – Hasseltoff – not until New Year’s Day.
One hundred and eighty-eight runners, 27 winners, 25 seconds and 21 thirds make up our track record for 2022.
Compared to years gone-by, the racing team is becoming more streamlined with less runners and more emphasis on gallopers that can pay their way for our owners.
From the combined team of 39 ATB-owned horses that graced the racetrack during the year, no fewer than 18 have been moved on to the breeding barn or sold via our ‘good friend’ the Inglis Digital Online Sales.
Thirteen of these ‘departees’ won races for us, five left as maiden performers.
Back to the productive side of the ledger, nine of our 27 winners were in the city, three of those at stakes level – one listed and two Group 3’s.
We had fifteen individual winners, eight with multiple wins and seven notching a win each.
Detonator Jack exploded onto the scene to lead the way with five wins, four on city tracks including a first-up win on Melbourne Cup Day while Crackerjack Prince secured his three wins in consecutive fashion on country tracks.
Of the six dual-winning horses, the evergreen sprinter Sirius Suspect showed his love of the straight track at headquarters, winning at Listed and Group 3 level.
Anirishman’s continued love of country & beach life allowed him to net two country cups at St Arnaud & Penshurst.
From the solo winners, Literary Magnate hit the ground running for her owners, a first-up Group 3 win at Caulfield ensuring her value as a broodmare.
Also, after 714 days, Hasseltoff was able to break back into the winner’s stall with a strong Flemington victory.
From a prizemoney perspective four horses won more than $250k.
Sirius Suspect ($312,500) 9 starts: 2 wins – 2 thirds; includes a G3 & Listed win.
Detonator Jack ($304,500) 7 starts: 5 wins – 1 second, 1 third; includes G1 3rd.
Steinem ($264,700) 8 starts: 0 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds; includes G1 3rd, 2x G2 2nds & G3 3rd.
Literary Magnate ($253,850) 8 starts: 1 win, 3 seconds, 3 thirds; includes G3 win, G3 2nd & G3 3rd.
Undoubtedly, the unluckiest horse during 2022 was the winless Steinem.
Wet tracks and bad barriers thwarted her Autumn, before three consecutive Spring stakes placings including a brave third in the G1 Northerly behind star filly Amelia’s Jewel in Perth.
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace with five wins headed our trainers from Archie Alexander with three.
Seven trainers had two winners and the remaining five wins were spread singularly.
Phillip Stokes, Andrew Bobbin, Tom Dabernig, Clinton McDonald and Will Clarken all trained their first winners for ATB.
John Allen, Dean Holland and Ethan Brown led the way from the jockey’s ranks with three wins apiece, while Jordan Childs, Brett Prebble and Harry Coffey landed two wins each.
The numbers tell us we had another great year, our strike rates being 14.4% for winners and 38.8% for Top 3 finishes.
Hopefully 2023 is just as fruitful.
2022 Winners:
5 – Detonator Jack
3 – Crackerjack Prince
2 – Sirius Suspect, Eagles And Pins, Roederer, Tobaysure, Arizona Dreaming, Anirishman
1 – Midnight Hussy, Adandiman, Shine And Dandy, Sea Princess, Literary Magnate, Lake Titicaca, Hasseltoff
Leading Trainers:
5 – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
3 – Archie Alexander
2 – Matthew Williams, Saab Hasan, Paul Preusker, Logan McGill, Phillip Stokes, Pat Ryan Jnr, Matt Cumani
1 – Tom Dabernig, Clinton McDonald, Mitch Freedman, Andrew Bobbin, Will Clarken
Leading Jockeys:
3 – John Allen, Dean Holland, Ethan Brown
2 – Harry Coffey, Jordan Childs, Brett Prebble
1 – Dean Yendall, Lachie Neindorf, Craig Williams, Jack Hill, Tahlia Hope, Harry Grace, Neil Farley, Liam Riordan, Melissa Julius, Declan Bates, Campbell Rawiller, Rose Pearson.
Credits:
Article: Peter Morganti
Photo: Racing Photos
