Sean Tarry had the sales record-breaking R7 million colt Celestial City sent to him just before he had turned four and emphasised his gratitude to owner Henning Pretorius for allowing him to do things his own way despite the horse’s age and his price tag.
He reckoned the full-brother to Hawaam and half-brother to Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat was now possibly just one grass gallop away from making his debut.
He said, “Henning and I agreed to not think about what he cost but to do what is best for the horse.”
Tarry’s first task was to sort out the big colt’s soundness issues and his coltish temperament.
He said, “I have taken time to work through his soundness issues and feel we are on top of them. He weighed 560kg when he arrived here. We aimed to lighten him up and have got him down to a more athletic 520kg. He is now able to carry his weight. Ever since I’ve been able to work him hard enough his demeanour and temperament have also settled down.”
The grass track at Randjesfontein has recently been scarified, but will be open to feature runners this weekend and to all runners next week.
Tarry said, “The scarification was short term pain for the trainers, but long term gain. I think we have probably the best grass in the country at Randjes and are privileged to have it at our disposal.”
Welcome rain is on its way too, so it is all coming together and the Silvano colt could well make his debut in November.
Tarry concluded, “We are expecting rain on the weekend and he is ready for his grass gallop. If I am pleased with his gallop and his fitness levels are shown to be high enough I will definitely consider nominating him.”
The first three progeny of Jet Master champion mare Halfway To Heaven were all colts, Rainbow Bridge (Ideal World), Hawwaam (Silvano) and Golden Ducat (Philanthropist), and were all multiple Grade 1 winners.
However, the next pair to run were both fillies, In Limbo (Silvano) and Gift From Heaven (Querari), and have been disappointing.
In Limbo managed one win and one place in eight starts and Gift From Heaven has finished at the tail of the field in all three of her starts.
Halfway To Heaven’s next male runner is thus being eagerly anticipated.
