Jimmy Choux’s sister lands Sandown win
The younger sister of former New Zealand champion Jimmy Choux has broken through for her first metropolitan success at Sandown.
Choux Diva relished the big Sandown circuit and the firm track, taking out Wednesday’s Schweppes Handicap (2100m).
A four-year-old by Thorn Park from the Centaine mare Cierzo, Choux Diva is raced in the same interests as Jimmy Choux who is beginning to make a name for himself as a sire.
Jimmy Choux was a five-time Group One winner on both sides of the Tasman, taking out the 2011 Rosehill Guineas in Sydney after winning the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.
The John Bary-trained horse also ran second to Pinker Pinker in the 2011 Cox Plate.
Choux Dancer’s trainer Simon Morrish said the victory on Wednesday was a boost for her future as a broodmare.
Ridden by Craig Williams, Choux Dancer ($8.50) scored by three-quarters of a length from Platypus Duck ($12) with Spectacular Vision ($10) a head away third.
“That was very important for her as she’s now a metropolitan winner in Australia which is important for her pedigree,” Morrish said.
Morrish has been training for Jimmy Choux’s owners Richard and Liz Wood for almost 20 years after taking over the training of Count Chivas from Lee Freedman not long after the gelding ran second to Saintly in the 1996 Melbourne Cup.
He said over the years he had trained 17 or 18 horses for the couple with all bar one being successful.
“We’ve had a lot of luck together,” Morrish said.
“We’ve had a few turbulent times along the way, but he’s very passionate and very loyal.”
Morrish says he hopes to find another suitable race for Choux Dancer before the tracks become wet.
“We’ll just poke along and hopefully win another one,” Morrish said.
“She’s very much a dry track horse so as soon as the rain comes she’ll go to the paddock.
“This was a lovely race for her. It was a 78-rated race but it was essentially a 70 and she got in on the minimum.
“She was given a great ride by Craig, so it was a good result.”