History repeating for Breeders Classic 2YO Winners

Ever Art 

There’s no doubt about her pedigree but the ability is there to match. 

Victory in the $27,800 QBRED Breeders Classic 2YO Fillies Final at Albion Park back in late May at only her second start confirmed the filly is blessed with natural talent. 

Starting from a second line draw in the 1660m feature following a victory at Wagga three weeks earlier, the David Thorn-trained, and Nathan Dawson-driven filly justified favouritism by defeating previously unbeaten locals Bettor Cullect and Rylee Rhayne Bow in a time of 1:56.4. 

Ever Art is bred to be above average, a daughter of champion sire Art Major from one of Queensland’s finest race mares in Forever Gold (42 wins, $700,000). 

Some of Forever Gold biggest victories include the Queensland Oaks, Inter Dominion heat, Governors Cup, Robin Dundee Stakes, Make Mine Cullen, 4/5YO Championship, Qld Ladyship Stakes (x 4) and the 2YO and 3YO QBRED Breeders Classic and Triads Finals. 

The well-built filly ranks as a half relation to the likes of Forever Rocking (two wins), Eternal Gold (five wins) and The Weapon (two wins). 

Ever Art is raced by breeders Murray Cole and Beau Watson. 

Broken-in and educated by renowned horseman Josh Turnbull, the filly was given the stamp of approval following three preparations with the Bathurst-based trainer. 

Moved to the Menangle-based stables of David Thorn, Ever Art pleased in an early season “green” trial at Menangle on January 4 before heading for a light let-up. 

“I know Josh liked her and she was only in my stables for a short time before I stepped her out, she just followed them around by doing it comfortably. I turned her out after that given, she was a good-sized filly,” Thorn said. 

A pair of impressive trials in April at Menangle had the filly known as “Kylie” (in reference to Kylie Rasmussen – regular driver of Forever Gold) ready to race. 

A winning debut was made at Wagga (some four-and-a-half hours south of Menangle) on May 5 in a time of 1:56.6. 

“Wagga wasn’t the original plan, but I was having trouble getting races to stand up and the Breeders Classic was looming, so I was running out of time, but we got there, and she won so that was the main thing,” Thorn said. 

“The whole experience of the Wagga trip proved beneficial for Brisbane in many ways. You always need luck in any race let alone feature events, but I was confident she was the filly to beat. 

“We got lucky early because Nathan said they almost got decked soon after the start, once she landed the one out, one back trail, she was always going to be in the finish. It was mission complete.” 

Ever Art went straight to paddock following her triumph for three weeks and will return in August for the QBRED Triad. 

Quik Change 

It was one of the biggest boilovers witnessed at Albion Park. 

When Quik Change nosed out Bronski Zulu and the luckless My Ultimate Buddha to claim the $27,800 QBRED Breeders Classic 2YO Colts & Geldings Final at Albion Park, it left punters completely stunned. 

The official starting price for Quik Change was $151 while he paid over $161 on the tote. 

Winning trainer Graham Dwyer was pleasantly shocked. 

“I couldn’t actually believe he was that sort of odds. I still can’t because I gave him a good chance.” Dwyer said. 

Purchased from the 2022 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales at the Gold Coast, Dwyer urged his wife, Martine, to keep putting her hand up until she secured the colt for $20,000 – which was his reserve amount. 

Bred by Daren and Chris Garrard, the Changeover – Mathilda Diventa colt was prepared by Burwood Stud and caught the early eye of Dwyer. 

“The mother of Mathilda Diventa is Holme Call, and she is the dam of Shes Miss Devine, a terrific mare who just recently retired for me, so the page stood out. Mathilda Diventa was a super filly in her own right and when Daren told me as she entered the ring, the reserve was $20,000 and I just said to Marty keep going and we’ll sort it out later,” Dwyer said. 

“Once he was knocked down, I was able to syndicate him easily and got some great clients and new clients involved. I asked Darren (Weeks) and Kylie (Rasmussen) to break him in and they did a super job, they know the family well. 

“He was a little lazy, but he had speed. It was a case of faster the better because he’s a very clean going type. He ended up with an OCD (Osteochondritis dissecans) in his offside hind, which required removal and left me a little behind, but we managed to get him ready for the early season targets.” 

Entering the race as a seven-start maiden, Quik Change was listed as the rank outsider in the field despite drawing a handy gate that allowed driver Brendan Barnes to find a good position. 

Upon straightening, Quik Change proved too strong for his rivals and demonstrated his natural high speed. 

The winning time was 1:57.4 for the 1660m event. 

“The win didn’t shock me. Dazza (named after Daren Garrard) was going much better than his form indicated. Brendan gave him a perfect trip and he thrived on that,” Dwyer said. 

Quik Change is raced by Martine Dwyer, Dave Greaves, Darren Wearne, Scott Stimson, Daryl Edwards, Alan Boyd, Steve Hollander, Bernie Ring and Ron Burrell. 

Ring is the President of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club. 

Upcoming targets for Quik Change include the Albion Park Gold – Brisbane APG Sales Graduates on July 15 followed by the QBRED Triad the following month. 

The win capped a great night for the Garrard family, Burwood Stud and Mathilda Diventa with Quik Change completing the family double, earlier in the night, Regazzo Di Tilly scored an upset victory of his won by winning the $27,800 QBRED Breeders Classic 3YO Colts & Geldings Final. 

“That’s another crazy thing from the night, Daren told me he a dream that both horses won their respective finals!” 

Will the dream repeat for both in August?