Cambridge trainer Nicky Chilcott has announced her champion mare Sacred Mountain is heading to Australia.
Chilcott and owners Merv and Meg Butterworth made the announcement this week saying they are not willing to see her racing her heart out any more trying to overcome long handicaps.
Milly (Sacred Mountain) back when she was winning races. Photo: Supplied.
Sacred Mountain – known by her stable name Milly – was to race at Alexandra Park on Thursday but has been scratched and instead will fly to Melbourne next week to continue her career.
Chilcott blamed Sacred Mountain’s exit on the paucity of higher rated horses racing here and said she was totally in agreement with the Butterworths that the time had come for “Milly” to leave New Zealand.
“It would have been nice to have one more go round with her but she would have a hard run on Thursday and I don’t think she could have won.
“I thought it was best to look at the big picture and just keep her ticking over until the flight as she doesn’t travel well.”
Trainer Nicky Chilcott in the stables with Milly who’s been misbehaving. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Chilcott said it meant Milly would land in Australia in better condition for her first assignment at Melton on July 27, the Lightfoot Laurels a A$24,000 2240 metre event for mares only, when she will start from the front line, an unfamiliar prospect that might make Milly feel dizzy, says Merv Butterworth.
Finding suitable races like that had proved impossible in New Zealand – in her latest start at Cambridge Milly started from a 50 metre handicap and the Butterworths said it hurt them watching her race so bravely for only third.
While Merv Butterworth said Sacred Mountain needed to “escape” New Zealand’s ratings and handicapping rules, Chilcott said it was more a numbers issue now.
Lack of horses meant Thursday’s race had a very wide 28-point rating band, hence her 40 metre handicap. With Sacred Mountain rated on 84, and her nearest rival Kiss And Run on just R66, and the front line horse on R56, it meant she faced a near impossible task.
“It’s just a shame she got hurt when all the big races were on and now all those horses are having a break. She’s about the only open class trotter going around. We just don’t have enough horses up here.
“She’s going unbelieveably well for essentially little return and smashing the clock every time.”
Chilcott said it was hugely disappointing to lose a horse of Milly’s calibre.
“I run a relatively small stable and horses like her don’t come along every day of the week. It’s gutting to be honest but I’m ever so grateful that Merv and Meg left her here as long as they have.
“Her earning capacity is definitely where she’s heading. She can win another $100,000 over there. Every year she’s got better and stronger.”
When Sacred Mountain moved north to White Star Stables two and a half years ago she had a record of two wins from 20 starts.
In 40 starts for Chilcott, Milly has recorded 10 wins, seven seconds and six thirds, giving her a 57.5% record of running in the top three. Her earnings for Chilcott of $149,645, have taken her bankroll to $170,295.
Most telling though is the fact 28 of those 40 starts have been from handicaps, 14 from 30 metres or more – including five times from 35 metres, three times from 40 metres, once at 50 and even once at 55. Only six of her runs in the north were from behind the mobile.
One of those mobile starts in January showed just what a rare brand of high speed she possesses when she clocked a New Zealand record 2:41.8 in the Group III Flying Stakes (2200 metres).
Sacred Mountain is the third fine trotter the Butterworths have raced out of the seven-win mare Aceofdiamonds. (Blue) Sky Commander won 16 races and $A152,536 and Ace Commander has had nine wins and A$75,455.
Sacred Mountain and Andre Poutama have Cyclone Lucky Linda well covered as they race past to win on Christmas Eve.
Angelique Bridson/Race Images.
