“You have just got to be in the Vicbred scheme. There’s so many opportunities for Vicbred eligible horses.”
The speaker is Port Fairy businessman, harness racing benefactor and breeder-owner Richard Matthews.
“I only ever pay up for two futurities – Vicbred and the Breeders Crown,” he said.
Matthews and his wife Pauline, two of Victoria’s most successful breeders and owners, secured $7000 first win bonuses for two of their large team this month.
Superior Delight, a three-year-old pacing filly trained by Andy Gath, was a most impressive winner on debut at Geelong, while the three-year-old trotting gelding Good Heart, prepared by Chris Lang, notched his maiden success at Bendigo.
Superior Delight, by Bettors Delight, is a granddaughter of Matthews’ former outstanding racemare Lagoon Lady, the dam also of recent Alabar Vicbred Championship heat winner Giveitatry.
Good Heart, a gelding by Father Patrick, is a grandson of the Matthews’ broodmare gem Invasion’s Pride.
“She has left the winners of more than $1 million,” Matthews said.
Invasions Pride ranks as the dam of the dual Breeders Crown trotting champion Let Me Thru and cup class trotter Lord Liam and the grand-dam of recent winners in Bullion Harry and More Wanted.
“Let Me Thru is definitely the best trotter we’ve ever owned,” Matthews said.
He said he had not bred from his pacing broodmares for three years but has continued to breed from his burgeoning square-gaiting herd every year.
Though the Matthews have not bred any pacers themselves recently, they are more than ably represented at the racetrack by Catch A Wave, the Breeders Crown champion and rated one of the best three-year-olds in the country, and his older half-brother Yambukian, both bought at the APG yearling sales.
