By Duane Ranger
Group One place-getter, Monseigneur, nailed his first win in over a year at Cambridge Raceway last week leaving his owners with a healthy quandary to ponder as the new season looms.
One of those owners, and wife of Monseigneur’s Morrinsville trainer Brendan Schumacher – Doreen – said the gelding could be sent to Brent Lilley’s Victoria stable where their son Fergus is employed.
“You need money to do that and all the owners have to agree. Fergus would love to have him there and he knows he will probably win more races over there than here, but Brendan would also love to line him up in a big Group race in New Zealand again one day providing in steps up. Time will tell,” Schumacher said.
“We are just so pleased to have him back healthy again. He’s been through the wars,” she added.
For the last 10 months Monseigneur has suffered from a bad virus. He’s also suffered from colds and stone bruises.
“He just hasn’t been right and it’s just so pleasing to have him back where he should be. We all knew he was better than what he has shown on the racetrack. He’s as fit as a fiddle now. It was so pleasing to see him back in the winner’s circle again last week,” Schumacher said.
Monseigneur and Todd Mitchell lined up a $3.70 favourite in Thursday’s $7,000 Cambridge Jockey Club Handicap Trot. He started from 20m behind and trotted the 2200m 2:53.9 (mile rate 2:07.1) with final 800m and 400m sprints of 62.4 and 31.5.
They had a length to spare over seventh favourite Jomo and John Robinson. It was Schumacher’s first win of the season and 33rd since 1983.
It was also Monseigneur’s sixth win in 45 starts and first since he strung two together in June and July last year – both at Cambridge Raceway.
However the son of Sundon’s most memorable day came on May 31, 2014 when he ran second behind King Denny in the Harness Jewels 3yo Ruby Final, also at Cambridge Raceway.
The Schumachers only have one horse in work due to Brendan being employed at the Fonterra Milk Plant in Morrinsville. He also bred and co-owns Monseigneur with his wife, his mother-and-father-in-law Gordon and Norma Newberry, Chris Faulkner and Hugh Chapman.
“It’s real tempting to send him to Australia because we know he could earn a bit of money there, but we just have to see how his career pans out and then get an agreement from all six owners.
“He’s such a lovely horse to have around the stables. We call him ‘Rascal’ and we are looking forward to his season as a 6-year-old,” Schumacher said.
Monseigneur is the the fifth of seven foals out of Schumacher’s now deceased five-win Gee Whiz II mare, Duchess Of Whiz.
“We still have Monseigneur’s full sister named Georrgias Crown. She’s a rising 4-year-old and Brendan broke her in. She had an accident when earlier on so Brendan has been forced to take her time with her.
“She will be back in work in late August or September. We like her but she just needs time<” said Schumacher.
Monseigneur will line up at Alexandra Park this Friday. He will again be driven by Mitchell, who not only enjoys driving the bay, but also rates him.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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