patience (noun) – the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
The connections of Groovin’ certainly understand the definition of patience, and they were rewarded by their filly winning her second race on Sunday at Bendigo.
Windsor Park Stud are well-known for their abilities to source sires and produce horses that benefit from a little bit of this patience. They can also produce the precocious sprinting ones too. But the progeny of Mastercraftsman are probably not in that category.
Being by Mastercraftsman and out of a High Chaparral mare, Nigel, Windsor Park and local connections headed by Managing Owner Ian Lewis were not going to push Groovin’ early.
She progressed nicely in 2016 to win her maiden as a new season three-year-old at just her third start. After her fifth start however, she suffered an injury to a hind pastern which forced her off the scene for a few months.
We have spoken about the importance of our veterinarians and spelling managers in the process of rehabilitating horses with injuries. Groovin’ gives us another chance to thank Dr Emma Nicol at Equivets, Dr Brian Anderson and the team at Ballarat Vet Clinic, and Lee Powell and his team at Fulmen Park. All worked closely together to rehabilitate Groovin’ so she could return to full training at Flemington.
Groovin’s preparation went so smoothly in the lead up to Sunday’s victory, that the 15 or so weeks required to get her back racing seemed to fly by. Her two jump outs at Flemington were fantastic and she again impressed in a 1000m trial at Cranbourne to regain her approval to race following her injury.
Aided by a perfect ride from Michael Walker, Groovin’ was always in control of the Jayco Class 1 race over 1300m and made a long run down the centre of the track to win with some comfort.
Watch the closing stages of Groovin’s race below.
Michael walker sends Groovin' home on her return for @NigelBlackiston. pic.twitter.com/wcwDqUjtDo
— Racing.com (@Racing) July 23, 2017
You can also watch Nigel’s interview with racing.coms Brad Bishop, below.
.@NigelBlackiston to go through the grades with filly Groovin’. pic.twitter.com/L13FRaLgjZ
— Racing.com (@Racing) July 23, 2017
Thanks to the Bendigo Jockey Club and to race sponsor Jayco.
Head over to Groovin’s Page for more information.
