Time Thief Steals the Show at Mooney Valley
Mooney Valley Racecourse was buzzing with excitement as the horses competing in the Arrow Training Services Handicap began filling the starting gates for the 1000 meter event. It was a highly anticipated race, with all eyes focused on Time Thief. He was making his debut and everyone was speculating in regard to his performance. Sidelined with illness and injury, horse racing fans were forced to wait for the arrival of Time Thief. He did not disappoint, and ran exactly as would be expected of a rising champion.
Redoute’s Choice was as much a champion during his horse racing career as he is a leading sire. Entering stud in 2000, Redoute’s Choice earned A$1 535 350 during his career and won major racing events such as the Grade 1 Caulfield Guineas, Grade 1 C.F. Orr Stakes, Grade 1 Maikato Stakes and the Blue Diamond Stakes. As a brood mare, Procrastinate has produced countless champion foals, with her first outstanding progeny being Laisserfaire. With Redoute’s Choice as sire and Procrastinate as broodmare, Time Thief was destined for great things.
Time Thief was purchased as a yearling for $2 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Sale. Owner, Sheik Mohammed, entrusted Time Thief to trainer Lee Freedman, who has been patiently waiting for Time Thief to show readiness for his debut. He had been in training during spring 2007, but a virus kept the horse off the track. After recovering, he suffered yet another setback, suffering from shin soreness. But on Wednesday, 27 August 2008, Time Thief looked healthy and relaxed as he waited to run for the first time.
He got out of the gates a little slow, but jockey Dwayne Dunn managed to settle him down quite quickly, and they moved their way up to fifth position. On approaching the home stretch, Dunn gently eased Time Thief into the clear. When he asked Time Thief to accelerate, there was no stopping them. Time Thief comfortable took the lead and beat second place finisher, Spruce Dollar, to the wire with over a length. Ortensia got home in third position.
Lee Freedman expressed his excitement and pride at the way Time Thief performed in his debut, and recognizing that there is a little room left for improvement, they will work towards the Caulfield Guineas. Time Thief took Mooney Valley Racecourse in Australia by storm, and it is expected that the horse racing community will see more of these exceptional performances from him in the future.
