For Albury’s grandma and celebrated horsewoman Donna Scott, her daughter and racing manager Danielle, the excitement on Saturday for a Royal Randwick TAB Highway with rejuvenated mare Sharlie is only an appetiser for bigger family occasions interstate.
Donna’s son-in-law Blaike McDougall and his partner Danielle are the proud parents of two little girls, Penelope four years and Maisie just two.
Jean Van Overmeire will be aboard Sharlie at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers
But Blaike won’t be among the family racing haven after riding Sharlie ($26 on TAB) for an impressive recent win at Wodonga.
“Blaike’s riding in the Stradbroke, that’s the quality of rider he is, so it’s a big day for the family, he’s having a brilliant season,” Donna offered.
Blaike is riding the Hayes-Dabernig sprinter So Si Bon in the traditional Group 1 at Eagle Farm after winning a Group 3 for them on Zargos in Tasmania. He rides regularly for the high profile stable and has ridden 169 winners so far this season.
“Blaike deserves the success for all the hard work and travelling and he’s been just everything for us and those gorgeous little girls at home,” explained Donna from their racing complex, Hazel Park at Thurgoona on the outskirts of Albury.
“This mare had issues, lost all form, Blaike worked her out, she was tying up badly in races.
“We changed everything, put her on different feed, gear changes, worked her differently and she just clicked.
“She surprised us all the way she won. So we decided to come up for this Highway – any more rain (predicted) would be a bonus as she loves a wet track and we’ve drawn well.”
Replacing McDougall in the TAB $75,000 Class 3, 1500m at headquarters is largely underrated Jean Van Overmeire from barrier 2. An astute booking with a 1.5kg claim off the 57kg for Sharlie who spaced her rivals by a widening six-lengths in a recent Wodonga, 1590m BM 58.
Donna, who initially worked long term for the Snowdens at Darley, now Godolphin, took out a training licence in 2017 after her father, Riverina training great Graham Hulm retired with health problems.
Donna’s husband Brett Scott a trainer and former jockey died suddenly in 2008 at just 40 and the family rallied in inspirational fashion. They’ve built a substantial team of 30 plus in work, with Blaike and Danielle, a former jockey, riding work.
They have the admirable record of 23 wins so far this season, 15 the previous, while veteran stable star Lord Von Costa has amazingly won three races at Flemington after a modest third in a TAB Highway in 2016. Five-year-old Sharlie, came off mediocre form for a big win at Wodonga.
“She’d been working super but nowhere close to bringing it to the races,” explained Donna of Sharlie, previously with Craig Widderson at Wodonga and then Nick Ryan at Flemington.
“She’d always shown ability and some of the staff backed her off her work. But three strikes and they sacked her.
“Then she bolts in – always the way,” Donna chuckled. “She’s lightly framed, a picky eater and quirky.
“Blaike’s ridden her in most races, he knew she was a far better mare than what she was showing and we finally sorted her issues.
“Stronger race obviously in town but just the way she won, and when mares find form, they generally hold it.”
Sharlie is nowhere near the quality of Donna’s three-time Flemington winner Lord Von Costa but now she’s found form still has upside at five years.
“He’s eight now, been a marvel for us, he’s spelling and he’ll have another prep. He was placed in a Highway way back when the series started, then Galaxy Force was placed in one in 2019.
“We haven’t won a Highway – we’re not regulars to Sydney only when we think we’ve got the right horse to be competitive.”
Sharlie is lengthy odds but has conditions to suit with headquarters a soft 6 and the weather predicted to turn with rain forecast during Thursday and Friday.
– Racing NSW
