Xtravagant Update

We have had many well-wishers inquiring after "Blake's" health so we thought we would bring you the latest news since his Flemington race.

Racing certainly has its "high's" and its "low's" - and yesterday contained both and you take that in your stride in this industry of no certainties.  Congratulations to the owners of Heroic Valour who extended his winning streak to four wins from four starts when claiming the $50,000 Listed Northland Breeders' Stakes in determined fashion.  This son of Fastnet Rock has now won a Group 1 and two Listed races in his four start/four win career to date.

Heroic Valour was bought by David from the draft of Gordon Cunningham's Curraghmore Stud at the 2015 Karaka Premier Sale - and at the same sale this year, David in fact purchased his full brother - now aptly named Heart of Courage.

From Ruakaka it was to Melbourne and Xtravagant stripped a fit looking horse for the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis where he finished at the tail of the field.  Commentators noted he was worked up pre start however Stephen Autridge responded that he was actually much better than his previous Flemington visit.

Firstly and most importantly, we immediately had Blake vetted and his heart, his legs and the scope all came back 100%.  What we cannot tell you right now is the result of his blood tests and we will know these tomorrow.

Our co-trainer Stephen Autridge who is in Melbourne with Blake said that Damien Oliver reported that Blake was "on the wrong leg" from the jump - no matter how hard he tried, he could not get him on to the right leg and in fact he was so worried that something was wrong, he did not put overt pressure on him.

The good news - and the most critical news - is that we have (subject to the blood reports) a physically well horse - and that is a huge worry off all of our minds.  Anothr question to be answered is if he handled the "straight six" which can be a trap/challenge for many horses - that way of going.

We will await Blake's blood test results on Monday and speak at length to Stephen and Damien today - but we wanted to let you know that physically Blake is fine - and until we have further information which we will glean over the next 24 hours, we can only think that yesterday was an aberration, albeit a very disappointing one for his connections and his supporters.

We are so sorry that today was not his day - we all know, based on the times he has run, that he is much, much better than that.