By Tayler StrongThe fine form of Rakarazor is a turnaround of the Australian fortunes of Rakauhauka (Southland) owner-breeder Brendan Fahy.
Rakarazor took her record in Australia to eight wins, a second and third in 11 starts when she won the group three $A31,800 Tailamade Lombo Stakes at Menangle on Saturday.
“The only time she has been out of the money was when she struck a wet patch on the track and galloped in the Golden Guitar Final at Tamworth when travelling well,’’ said Fahy.
Three years ago Fahy consigned Raksdeal to Brisbane for the Gold Coast and Queensland Oaks but she never raced again. She returned home with Rakahauka trainer Clark Barron when diagnosed with an injured suspensory ligament.
“We gave her (Raksdeal) a year out and brought her up quietly in work. She had two workouts and ran a quarter in 26 but she went sore again,’’ said Fahy.
Raksdeal (Western Ideal – Raksplace) foaled a filly to Mach Three last spring and she is in foal to Somebeachsomewhere.
She won a heat of the Nevele R series at Invercargill; finished second to Ideal Belle in the NZ Oaks; second to Willow in the Sires’ Stakes Fillies Championship and third to Venus Serena and Ideal Belle in the Harness Jewels.
Rakarazor was transferred to the Cobbitty (New South Wales) stable of John McCarthy in early January from Gareth Dixon at Papakura.
“Gareth felt she should be in Australia as she was so much like Cyclone Kate,’’ said Fahy.
Rakarazor won a heat of the Nevele R series at Forbury Park last year when trained by Barron. She joined Dixon after a fourth in the Harness Jewels at Cambridge. The daughter of Rocknroll Hanover – Rakarach won for Dixon at Alexandra Park in November and finished fourth in the Queen Of Hearts won by Dream About Me.
Cyclone Kate joined the McCarthy stable after winning seven races for Dixon(a part-owner) including a repechage for the Breeders Crown at Geelong as a 2yr-old. She has since won 13 races and taken her stake earnings to $323,000. The Mach Three mare has won two group two and three group three races, including the Sibelia Stakes at Menangle in 1.50.3.
Cyclone Kate is engaged at Menangle this Saturday and she and Rakor Razor are then headed to Melbourne.
“John (McCarthy) said she (Rakarazor) is just doing so well. She loves the swimming,’’ said Fahy. Rakarazor ran her best mile time of 1.52.2 in the Tailmade Lombo.
Rakasinc, a 2-year-old gelding half brother by Changeover to Rakarazor, won a qualifying test in a 2.02.2 mile rate for 1700m (mobile) at Invercargill on April 27. He is trained at Ryal Bush by Peter Hunter who was concussed and admitted to hospital for observation after a race fall at Invercargill on April 30. He was discharged from hospital last Thursday.
“He took a very heavy knock to the head and is on light duties in the recovery process,’’ said his wife, Jo, who is tending the stable.
Rakasinc is the last foal of Rakarach, who was found dead in the paddock in June. The 20-year-old daughter of Son Of Afella – Sentimental Belle was in foal to Christian Cullen.
Rakarebel, a brother of Rakasinc, won six races in NZ when trained by Hunter and 19 in Australia. He won his first eight starts at Gloucester Park in 2011. Fahy raced Rakarebel from the stable of Gary Hall stable in Perth for his first two wins. The gelding was in new ownership when he won the $60,000 Celebrity Sprint there.
Fahy has sent Rakarolla to McCarthy. Rakarolla has won four races under Clark Barron. The half brother by Rocknroll Heaven to Raksdeal won a trial in 1.55 at Menangle on May 2. He has his first race there on Saturday.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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