Sacked by multiple trainers, Designer Vici was on the verge of becoming a riding hack when a lifeline was offered to connections.
A $100,000 purchase as a yearling, the half-brother to dual Group One winner Always Ready simply wasn’t measuring up to expectations.
The trotter’s six starts for three trainers failed to net a placing, with an average beaten margin of 77.6 metres!
A chance conversation between part-owner Jerry Glavas and veteran horseman Shane Hoban resulted in the flashy chestnut being given “his last hope to show anything”.
“I was talking to Shane and he said he wanted to give him a crack, so I had him sent over,” Glavas said. “He cost us $100,000, was showing nothing and this was without doubt his last hope to show anything.
“In fact, I had already called someone to offer him as a riding horse, but never heard back from him.
“Then the day he got to the stable, Paul Courts was there with his partner Kim (Procter), and liking chestnuts with white legs the way he does, Paul wanted him and I said ‘he’s yours if he doesn’t measure up this time’.
“Paul’s going to have to wait a little longer now, as Shane has certainly got him showing a glimpse of what we hoped he would be.
“As well as he is going Shane is positive he will get more out of him as he gains experience and maturity.”
Scoring in Melton upon debut for Hoban, Designer Vici was runner-up at his subsequent outing before scoring in Bendigo last night.
With John Caldow in the cart, the son of Orlando Vici worked overtime in the ‘death seat’ before scoring in 2:00.9 over 2150 metres as Ess Kay Hollywood and The Chook filled the placings.
“Shane and Kim have put a lot of work and attention into this horse,” Glavas said. “He gets everything, from the magnetic blanket to Kim riding him.
“His problem is he is rough in his gait and even the farrier, Steven Said, makes special shoes for him.
“We’ve got a great group of owners in him, so to have him going this well is terrific and a testament to the individual care he is receiving.
“Given the way he trots, how far he can go remains to be seen, but for the moment, we’re enjoying the fun.”
