Group One-winning thoroughbred trainer Ben Foote kicked off what he hopes to be a big weekend in perfect fashion at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night when his greyhound He’s All Go took out the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby Final (457m).
Foote is a member of the White Horse Toaster Syndicate, which was put together by his good mate Paul Claridge, and includes a number of high-profile thoroughbred and harness racing identities.
“Paul Claridge, a mate of ours, asked me when I was down in Wellington at the races whether I wanted to go in on this greyhound (He’s All Go), he reckoned he was a good one, so I gave him the money and it has worked out well,” Foote said.
“There are a few of us in the syndicate – Brent Wall, Gary Vile, Shaun Phelan, Steven Ramsay, Dexter Dunn, Blair Orange, Andrew Stuart, and a few others.”
The Lisa Cole-trained son of Aston Dee Bee has taken the group on a great ride, winning nine of his 10 starts to date, including two at elite-level, and accrued more than $60,000 in prizemoney.
“He has won two Group Ones now and he has only had 10 starts. The trainer told us he was going to be a freak and they have been true to their word. Even his first start at the races they said he ran a Group One time.”
Further Group One assignments now await He’s All Go before a potential trip across the Tasman to try and plunder some Australian riches later this year.
“I think there is another Group One down at Wanganui but the boys are talking about heading over to Melbourne at the end of the year,” Foote said.
“From what I understand there are three A$1 million races. It’s never been about the money for us though, it’s about catching up and having some fun.”
It’s been a case of beginners luck in greyhound racing for Foote who had no previous involvement in the sport.
“I had no interest in them whatsoever until now. The good thing about the dogs is that you don’t get a big bill at the end of the month,” he quipped.
While pleased to take out the New Zealand Derby on Thursday, Foote wasn’t oncourse to celebrate the victory as he has been competing in the Kubota Billfish Classic in Whitianga where he is competing for $1 million in prizes.
The fishing competition, hosted by the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, has attracted 420 entries who set off at 7am on Thursday after a shotgun start and while yet to catch a prized fish, Foote is loving every moment of being out on the water.
“I am out fishing in the Kubota Classic at the moment, so unfortunately I wasn’t there for the win last night,” Foote said.
“It is my first time. I pulled out last year because I had a bit on, but I didn’t want to let the team down this year, and I was pretty keen to do it. There are 420 boats, it is the biggest billfishing competition in the world, it is pretty cool.
“We haven’t caught anything yet, but we have got a day-and-a-half to go, it has been one hell of an experience.”
While out competing on the waters of the Coromandel, Foote’s son and training partner Ryan is trekking down to Trentham with a pair of gallopers to compete on Saturday.
Last start winner New Millenium will contest the Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m) and attempt to gain black-type for breeders Windsor Park Stud, who race the filly in partnership with Ben Kwok.
“She is a really nice filly. The owners want a bit of black-type and if there is any sting out of the ground it will definitely bring her into it,” Foote said.
“She came from last at Taupo (last week), so it was a good effort. She is a very good doing horse, so the week back-up won’t bother her at all.”
Further stakes assignments await the daughter of Charm Spirit, but Foote said he will wait and see how she comes through the race before making any concrete plans.
“There might be a black-type race down south for her, we will just see how she copes in this field and go from there,” he said. “She is a really good type who loves her racing.”
Foote will also line-up Nancy She Wrote in the Harrison’s Flooring Premier (1600m).
“She is a very talented horse, she just needs things to go her way,” he said. “She is another one that if she gets her toe in the ground and gets things her way, she will be right in it. We aren’t going all that way for just a run anyway.”
