Spotlight On: Sinabun

What’s a Cinnabon? Well, it’s a world-famous cinnamon roll made with a combination of warm dough, legendary Makara cinnamon, and signature cream cheese for a freshly baked, irresistible sweet treat.

Knowing what a Cinnabon is, then what’s a Sinabun?

That’s easy, he’s a richly talented precocious pacer in the care of highly respected couple of Darren Weeks and Kylie Rasmussen.

But is there a link between the sweet treat and the equine talent? Yes indeed.

The equine talent was purchased at the 2023 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sale, presented as Lot 19 on account of Burwood Stud, the bay Ultimate Machete – Holme Call colt was knocked down to the bid of Club Patron Chris Garrard at a cost of $36,000 that topped the sale for that year.

Hardly surprising given his stout pedigree, the colt is from the second crop of the brilliant Bettors Delight stallion Ultimate Machete, who performed with great distinction on both sides of the Tasman, winning features in both his homeland of New Zealand and Australia while the maternal side of the pedigree is equally impressive with his siblings including Shes Miss Devine (10 wins, $138,000), Mathilda Diventa (12 wins, $129,000), Bumper (17 wins, $107,000), Couldntresist (18 wins, $99,000) and Rockonholme (three wins, $21,000).

Sinabun is a true blueblood.

And the Garrard family know that more than most, having raced Mathilda Diventa, Bumper, Couldntresist and Rockonholme.

The Garrard family also bought back their own from that sale including a Bling It On- Charlyse colt for $26,000 and a For A Reason – Nova Time filly for $24,000.

Long time friend Chris Essex has raced several horses from the Garrard stable over the years including Charlyse but was keen to invest again and quickly snapped up a share of the Ultimate Machete – Holme Call colt.

But it came with a twist.

Essex wanted his nine-year-old daughter, Grace, to be involved and this colt provided the perfect platform to expand her developing mind.

“Gracie loves horses and I just thought this was an ideal way to scratch the itch. We’re in the business full-time and this was our way of having some fun as a family,” Essex explained.

"Grace named him after the Cinnabon, her favourite treat, and we played around with the spelling and wording and gave it a twist."

Essex owns and operates 1Equine, which provides various nutritional supplements for horses in any arena.

The colt known around the stables as ‘Sin’ was immediately placed into the care of Weeks and Rasmussen at their Stanmore stables following the sale and they went about the breaking-in and educational process.

And early impressions were positive.

“We didn’t attend the sales ourselves but ended up with two Ultimate Machete youngsters that year - Sin and the first foal from Smart As Camm Be, which is a filly - and we liked them both although she just required a little more time,” Weeks said.

“Sin was very natural, clean going and very willing with a great work ethic. He was a good size but a great mover, light on his feet and intelligent. I told Daren (Garrard) you won’t be getting this guy back for some time. He was making great inroads with each preparation he was given.”

Earlier this year, Weeks headed to Sydney with the talented young trotter Ajay Volstead and took a few ‘extras’ as traveling companions for experience, included in the road trip south was Sinabun.

The big striding youngster competed in a pair of ‘Green’ trials at Menangle before qualifying with a 1:56.8 victory.

“It was great opportunity to develop him further, a trip away while qualifying on the big Menangle track which gave him great confidence to fully stretch out,” Essex said.

“Timing-wise, it was perfect because he was ready to race upon his return home and the Redcliffe series was always the main priority. I was very satisfied with where he was at following the stint south.”

Young Angus Garrard has been behind Sinabun every step of the way, venturing to Sydney for the ‘Green’ trials and official qualifier while being his regular race day driver.

Sinabun made his debut at Albion Park on May 28 and, after starting from gate 10 in the 1660m event, he finished an excellent third behind Imxtraspecial and The Lady Dior in a time of 1:57.8 while the following week, again from the same gate, he finished third behind The Lady Dior and Hunger Strike in a time of 1:55.3.

His maiden victory came at his third start when he ventured to Redcliffe and despite drawing gate nine, he thrashed his rivals in a time of 1:58.7.

The $125,000 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sales 2YO Series was up next. ‘Sin’ was beaten in the qualifying heat behind Jive Master in a time of 1:57.0 (quickest time of the two qualifiers) after starting from gate six.

In the final (on June 29), Sinabun drew his best gate when landing four, three fillies drew to his inside given they receive preferential treatment, while Jive Master faced a second line draw and fellow heat winner Hell Im Smooth drawing on the outside of Sinabun.

The Redcliffe feature is near and dear to both the Weeks/Rasmussen team and Garrard family. The event was first staged in 2009 and winners for the Weeks/Rasmussen duo include Cha Ching Chaching (2011), Couldntresist (2012), Mathilda Diventa (2014), Heart Of Change (2016) and Gold Reactor (2017).

Three of those winners, Couldntresist, Mathilda Diventa and Heart Of Change were raced by the Garrard family.

Starting as $1.80 punters elect in the final, Sinabun couldn’t lead with Hell Im Smooth finding the front which left ‘Sin” exposed without cover.

With fast fractions being set and Sinabun over racing, he was forced to dig very deep but ultimately, he proved his worth with a resounding victory when able to draw clear from Hell Im Smooth and Our Sweet Jess filling third place.

The winning time was a race record of 1:56.0.

Naturally, emotions were running high for all connections as they celebrated with hugs and kisses, high fives and bear hugs.

But standing prouder than punch at the fence line waiting for ‘her’ trusted steed to return in readiness for official presentations was Grace Essex.

It was only the second time she had witnessed him racing live owing to clashes with school.

“Obviously we were confident. He was the favourite and all his efforts to date had been excellent, but as you know, this is horse racing and there’s no guarantees in this business. In the end, we had to do it the hard way which made it a harder watch, but it was meant to be,” a beaming Chris Essex said.

“But the sheer joy on Gracie’s face is a memory I have forever now, it was pure joy and I always have that moment with me now.

“When Grace got her hands on the trophy, it was pure satisfaction. It was great to do this with so many special people, the Garrard family (CJ, Maureen, Daren, Gayle and Angus) plus Darren and Kylie.”

Essex had Charlyse start in the 2015 Redcliffe Final but finished fifth behind Leos Best.

Interestingly, the first foal to race from Charlyse in Bling The Noise also started in the Final against Sinabun but finished seventh. 

Ultimately, the night belonged to Sinabun and his biggest fan, Grace Essex.

Will the big trophy be presented at Show and Tell at school?

The next major target was the Group 1 $150,000 QBRED Triad at Albion Park on August 17, where Sinabun finished 6th.

But will Grace continue to be trackside to cheer him on, hopefully winning again? Now there’s a sweet thought!