.jpg)
A talented mare with a big heart is taking a group of Chris Svanosio’s owners on a memorable ride that doesn’t look like stopping any time soon.
Since being leased from Yabby Dam Farms owner Pat Driscoll, four-year-old Norquay has been a revelation for Svanosio and his team, which have won seven races since September last year.
The upward spiral has continued in recent weeks, with the daughter of Majestic Son beating top trotter Dance Craze in a heat of the Breed For Speed Gold series before an agonisingly narrow second to I Am Pegasus in the Group 1 final.
“She’s not a superstar at home and she’s just a little trier at the races. And (she) just seems to be getting better and better all the time,” Svanosio said.
“We didn’t probably expect to get one as good as she’s been. The owners, there’s a group from Terang and a group from Bendigo, and they’ve just had a fantastic time. The night she won at Bendigo, they were all there and that was really exciting for everyone.
“We all went out for tea on Tuesday night just to celebrate running second (in the Breed For Speed Gold Final). We would have loved to win the Group 1, but I think everyone was just rapt to have a horse in it and have a horse go that good.”
Svanosio’s charge, which won just one race for former trainer Anton Golino, will step out again this Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Melton in the Garrards Trot (2240m, NR 70-85) where she will have to overcome a strong field and wide barrier seven draw.
“It will be pretty tough, drawn seven, I’d say,” Svanosio said.
“She went (1:56.9) in the heat when she beat Dance Craze and then I gave her a really tough trip in the final, but she just came through it terrific. She had a few easy days and she’s really well.”
Following the run this weekend, Norquay is likely to return for a Free For All at Melton the following week before embarking on a trip to Sydney that could include a crack at the Group 2 La Coocaracha in early May.
Svanosio, who trains from his base in Romsey, has two other horses engaged on Saturday night. He will partner Anywhere Hugo in the Woodlands Trot (2240m, NR 59-69) and has given the steer of Repeat After Me to concession driver Michelle Phillips in the Allied Express Pace (2240m, NR 85-99).
The opening race at Melton kicks off from 6.04pm.
CLICK BELOW TO HEAR CHRIS SVANOSIO’S CHAT WITH TIM O’CONNOR:
