A Sense of timing in Doomben Cup

News

20th May 2017

Yarraman Park’s Harry Mitchell vividly remembers the late Guy Walter cornering him in the Scone mounting yard during the 2014 Cup Carnival early in Sense Of Occasion’s career to tell him how good he believed the horse was.

“I remember the horse from the farm and knew he was always going to need some time and Guy, who used to train him, told me very early on that he had a very high opinion of him,’’ Mitchell said.

Sense Of Occasion was beaten that day at Scone, and Walter died suddenly one week later.

His opinion though was again franked today when Sense Of Occasion claimed his maiden Group 1 win in the Doomben Cup (2000m).

The win continued Sense Of Occasion’s stellar autumn, which has also seen him placed in the Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick during The Championships.

“He was always going to be a real staying horse, he didn’t carry a lot of flesh but a lot of good judges wanted him and I remember him being knocked down to Beamish Bloodstock,’’ Mitchell said.

“Kris Lees has done a great job with him, so congratulations to him and all the connections.’’

Lees took over the training of Sense Of Occasion following Walter’s death and has led the son of Street Sense and Saywaan to winning almost $1.7m from 34 career starts.

It’s a great return for his owners, after he was bought by Beamish Bloodstock for $80,000 at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from Yarraman Park’s draft.

Winning trainer Lees praised jockey Corey Brown’s patience today, saying that was the difference between winning and losing.

“We were a little concerned with the alley…but I thought Corey, he just waited and timed his run to perfection,’’ Lee said.

Sense Of Occasion was bred by Shadwell Stud Australasia, who enjoyed further Stakes success today when their galloper Tashbeeh won the Listed Straight Six at Flemington.

SENSE OF OCCASION

Sale: 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale

Price: $80,000

Vendor: Yarraman Park Stud

Breeder: Shadwell Stud Australasia

Buyer: Beamish Bloodstock

Trainer: Kris Lees

Owners: AJ Hall, DRS Hall, The Estate of JWB Wragge, DWF Blunden, RF Scott, LE Curtis & SM Bilich