CAMPANIA trainer Chris Crook found it difficult to contain her emotions at The TOTE Racing Centre last Thursday night after her well bred two-year-old Musqui scored an impressive win on debut.
Musqui went into his first race on the back of two impressive trial wins, the most recent by 14 lengths in Hobart.
But few knew that the gelding was orphaned at birth and subsequently hand-raised by the trainer and a host of staff members, all of whom shared shifts to feed the foal and help keep him alive.
“This is really an amazing story and to see him develop into this striking and powerful two-year-old is just amazing,” Crook said.
By evergreen stallion Matsqui, that stands at Walter and Brendan McShane’s Broadmarsh Stud, from the ill-fated mare Mustin Bell that was owned and raced by prominent owner-breeder Jim Scott.
Musqui was ridden by David Pires who allowed the gelding to run from the outset and once in front the rider kept him in check until releasing the reins on the home turn.
He bounded clear and had over two lengths to spare over Abasova with Stylist Spirit 1-1/2 lengths astern.
“I rode this horse in both his trials and he gave me a real good feel and probably just as good, if not better, tonight,” Pires said.
“He’s got plenty of natural speed and he is strong and that’s a good combination, ” he said.