For the most part 10-year-old thoroughbred geldings are normally long into retirement. But in the case of the Matthew Robinson-trained Danes Bullet, life in a paddock grazing is a ways off yet.
At Taree on Tuesday, the spritely gelding, still with a spring in his step, steps out in the Gooch Agencies Gloucester Cup (1250m).
Danes Bullet is seeking win number 14 from an 88 start career that has also netted 23 placings and over $160,000 prizemoney.
“He’s still punching around, going good,” Robinson said. “He’s as sound as a bell. Any sign of anything different and I’d retire him. But he still loves his racing, loves being around the stable.
“Throughout his career we’ve spaced his runs, only five or six runs to a preparation and at home we don’t work him hard. We don’t overdo it and I think that’s helped with his longevity.”
Danes Bullet is always first out on the track in the morning to complete his work. He’s still keen and still racing well. Robinson has a real soft spot for the old fella. So much so that just recently he and his partner Misty Travis purchased the gelding from the other owners to ensure he has a good home when he eventually retires.
“I wanted to ensure he was looked after when he retires,” Robinson said. “We’ve got a property here (Taree) and he can stay in a paddock and get well looked after. Life after racing is assured now.”
When he was a baby, Danes Bullet picked up the nickname ‘Spritey.’ Now days Robinson jokingly calls him ‘the old fella.’ “He’s an absolute gem, quiet as anything and a real pet around the stable,” Robinson added.
Danes Bullet resumed from a 171-day spell when he led until the final 100m finishing three lengths fourth to Ruling Queen in a 1255m Benchmark 65 event at Taree on April 11. Even when challenged Danes Bullet still fought on strongly trying to deny his younger rivals.
“He’s had a couple of jump outs at home and went into the race probably fitter first up than I’d had him for a long time,” Robinson said. “He just blew out the last 100 metres, felt the pinch. I was really happy with the run.
“He’s done excellent since, super. For a horse that doesn’t take much work he’s done really well and improved again.
“He’s nicely weighted with only 53 kilos on his back (after apprentice Jackson Murphy’s three kilo claim). He hasn’t had that sort of weight for a long time.
“We’re drawn a bit tricky (barrier 10) but we’ll push forward and either lead or sit outside the leader and make them chase.”
– Racing NSW
