Sportsbet’s ‘The Hotham’: Where are they now?

With more slots being filled for the Everest, there is plenty of talk around who will win the world’s richest race on turf. At the other end of the scale however the worlds most sought after maiden is also upon us, but where are last year’s participants now?

We have had a dig in to the books to see if any other admirable slow horses have broke through since the running of the inaugural Sportsbet’s The Hotham, and those who have again thrown their hand up for the 2018 edition with some even being thrown over the jumps in a last-ditch career survival effort.

Woohoo

2017 finish: 1st

Current record: 27-1-3-2

Things looked up for last year’s champion after winning a Longford trial by 2 lengths when resuming in January this year. The success was short lived however as the mare was beaten 10 lengths in her next start in a class 1 at Launceston, going on to beat just 12 horses home in 7 starts since the Hotham. Lead them up last start over 1880m before fading to finish a distant 29.35 lengths off the winner.

Briconi

2017 finish: 2nd

Current record: 47-0-3-6

This thing has certainly not been lightly raced, clocking up 19 starts since last year’s running however is still yet to break through, unluckily filling the minors no less than 4 times. The Nicconi gelding was close enough at Towong back on the 10th of March, leading all the way to be run down late finishing 2nd of 7.

Bellwhist

2017 finish: 3rd

Current record: 27-0-1-4

Lucklessly filled the minors in 3 consecutive runs following the Hotham but unable to go on with it. The 6-year-old led them at the 400 over a mile 2 starts back to be beaten by almost 20 in the end. Prolific leader, a drop back in distance might be the key here.

Lechter

2017 finish: 4th

Current record: 36-1-4-7

We have a winner! The 6-year-old gelding finished 3rd in 3 consecutive runs at big odds before a string of consistent performances finally paid off when he broke through at Kyneton on the 28th of April this year. Showcasing some strong form lines out of the Hotham, Lechter has also gone on to be placed in a 0-58 and in conjunction with possessing an impressive turn of foot for a Hotham contender, has now been placed in 12 of his 36 career starts.

Bashirah

2017 finish: 5th

Current record: 31-0-2-1

As her record suggests, the mare has probably seen better days and has not yet been anywhere near the money since her appearance in the Hotham. Might have a claim to fame however, beaten 16 lengths by Group 1 winner Youngstar in a Hawkesbury maiden in April. Beaten 30 lengths in a country maiden at Cowra last start.

Sergeant Sam

2017 finish: 6th

Current record: 32-1-2-2

The placings have been few and far between however the 5-year-old gelding made the most of his opportunity this year, breaking through in a maiden at Port Macquarie in May after leading all the way in the 1006m race. Again the success was short lived however, finishing near the tail of the field in class 1 and BM55 company since.

Positive

2017 finish: 7th

Current record: 20-0-2-1

Unluckily for connections, the High Chaparral gelding would never win a race, having just one last hurrah after the running of the Hotham. Positive was sent out as a $101 shot at Kilmore, finishing 23.55 lengths last and retired immediately following.

Beau Dazzle

2017 finish: 8th

Current record: 72-0-4-6

The lovable mare has filled the minors 10 times in her career beginning in 2013 however she is currently stuck in reverse, placing last in 6 of her last 7 and beaten by an astonishing aggregate of 97.31 lengths. The news isn’t all bad for the veteran however, winning a class 2 Tatura trial by 3 lengths back on the 17th of April, and we may just see her break through if she can bring that form to the races.

Costano Mille

2017 finish: 9th

Current record: 55-0-5-3

Another who is not lightly races, Costano Mille has gone around a whopping 27 times since the running of the Hotham and prolonging the agonising pain for connections actually filled the minors in 4 consecutive runs, beaten by just 0.1 lengths and then 0.2 lengths twice at Geelong in January this year. The 6-year-old mare has since been put over the jumps, failing to finish in 2 of her last 4 in hurdles races.

Brother Adam

2017 finish: 10th

Current record: 24-1-0-2

You wouldn’t expect it from 10th place Brother Adam, but the Bay Gelding has broken through in a country meet at Corowa, leading all the way from barrier 14. It was start number 5 after the Hotham with the 6-year-old enjoying a well-earned break since his win back in March.

The Black Isle

2017 finish: 11th

Current record: 36-0-2-1

Another who has bit the dust after failing to win a race, the Black Isle was given 10 goes at breaking maiden status since finishing 2nd last in the Hotham but the decision was made to retire the 5-year-old gelding after being beaten 100 lengths in a 1506m maiden at Port Macquarie just weeks ago.

Sathern

2017 finish: 12th

Current record: 45-0-5-5

The future did not look bright for a horse finishing almost 12 lengths last in the Hotham, and he lasted just 7 more starts before being retired. The 6-year-old gelding was sent out to the Non-Tabs but his luck didn’t change, beaten 13 lengths at Hay before ending his career at Moulamein where he was beaten 16.32 lengths in a $6000 maiden plate.