News

Phil Sly on winning high

31st Jan 2013

Racing Victoria - by Sarah Peatling - Thursday, 31 January 2013

It's with a pep in his step that one of Victoria’s most successful racehorse owners, Phil Sly, likes to live life as he continues to fight cancer, so it’s no surprise the popular builder is gleaming as two of his juveniles prepare for Australia’s two biggest two-year-old races, the Patinack Farm Blue Diamond and AAMI Golden Slipper.

With almost 40 thoroughbreds on the books, Sly is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure with major accolades going to his prized mare Mosheen, who swiped six black type wins – including four at Group 1 level – during a stellar three-year-old career in 2011 and 2012.

With his star mare now retired and waiting to be served in Japan to friend Katsumi Yoshida’s leading stallion Deep Impact, Sly is hoping for more inspiration on the track.

“Mosheen was just sensational and I can’t wait to see the future progeny she produces,” he said. “But in the meantime I’ve got some nice two-year-olds coming along which I hope make the grade.

“Owning horses in Victoria is the best. We’ve got the best race clubs, the best facilities in the country, the best prizemoney and the best carnivals, we’ve got the lot.”

The two juveniles Sly refers to are the VOBIS Gold-eligible Ms Funovits, who won on debut at Flemington on January 12 and Politeness, who lines up for her first start at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

“Ms Funovits, who I also race with the Wilson family, really impressed and to see that she beat Moody’s colt Thermal Current (another VOBIS Gold horse) which has since raced well in the Blue Diamond Preview is exciting,” Sly said.

“We were also surprised with the extra VOBIS bonuses, it was almost $35,000 that came with the win so it capped off a brilliant day.”

Trainer John Sadler has recently brought the VOBIS Gold filly back in the stable after a light break with a view to returning on Super Saturday in the two-year-old fillies’ race, with the long-term target being Sydney for the Golden Slipper and or Group 1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Sly’s other promising young lady is Politeness, who will make her maiden debut in the Sportingbet Plate with Glen Boss in the saddle.

“She is pretty special and seems to be the full deal. The aim is the set her for the Blue Diamond and end up at the Golden Slipper, although it’s one race at a time of course,” Sly said.

Bloodstock Agent and Malua Racing Manager Troy Corstens, is a key part of Sly bloodstock success as he purchased Ms Funovits at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $230,000.

“When I buy for Malua clients and Phil, I head towards a Super VOBIS horse if I can because the bonuses you can earn along the way are unreal,” Corstens said.

“I’ll always go another bid or two in the ring if they’re qualified because it’s just such a good return and now that VOBIS Gold is here, it s an even greater reward.

“With all of this investment going on, the Victorian breeding and racing industry will be absolutely flying in five years time.”

Super VOBIS Nominations close for 2001 foal on Friday 1 February 2013. For more information contact Customer First on 1300 139 412.