It was appropriate Rosscarbery should complete a career-high month for God’s Own at Gosford on Thursday.
The Bart & James Cummings trained mare was resuming from a spell following an autumn campaign in Melbourne and she ran down the favourite Truly Ready to win the Makinson d’Apice Lawyers Hcp (1200m).
God’s Own won the 2005 Caulfield Guineas for Bart and he sired the winners of 14 races in Australia this month. That put the Greta West Stud resident on top of the table with Bel Esprit and Reset for Victorian-based stallions in October.
Rosscarbery (4m God’s Own – Cool Gal by Secret Savings) is a homebred for Bart and is an older sister to Brook Road who scored on debut at Kembla Grange in August. That win was one of the first for the master–apprentice partnership.
Bart named Rosscarbery after the County Cork birthplace of his mother, Annie.
God’s Own provided another first for rookie trainer Logan McGill when My Saving Grace won at Pakenham on Tuesday.
A successful jockey before weight forced him out of the saddle, McGill prepares the mare as a sideline to his day job as foreman for Mornington trainer Mark Riley. “I do miss riding a lot but I still get to ride our horses in trackwork,” McGill said. “You’re constantly learning and there are new challenges every day.”
My Saving Grace (5m God’s Own – Export Lady by Export Price) is a homebred for Riley and his wife Lisa. Her dam is a half-sister to 11 winners including Notoire (G1 VRC Salinger Stakes) and Tempest Tost (Magic Millions 3YO Trophy).
Greta West Stud owners Laurie and John McCarthy received another satisfying result when Invincible Lady saluted on the Geelong Cup program last Wednesday.
The Invincible Spirit – Lady Julie (Kenvain) mare is a homebred for John Cimera. “I board her dam with Laurie and John and they deserve credit for the win,” he said. “They do a great job with the mares up there.”
The McCarthy brothers stand God’s Own (Redoute’s Choice) for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee and their agistment rate for mares and spellers is $15 a day. Broodmare owners can call the stud for more details on (03) 5727 6243.
– Karl Patterson