How Much Do You Love My Mum?
- Saturday, 20 October 2012 04:21
Howmuchdoyouloveme and Brenton AvdullaFor Bill Cockram's Shadow Glen Stud, Betula Belle has proven a disappointing broodmare until very recently.
A succession of lacklustre sales of her progeny caused her to be dropped from the official stud book but the Written Tycoon colt sold for a bargain $5,000 at the 2010 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale is about to change all that.
Purchased by Tony, the father of trainer Con Karakatsanis, the colt named Howmuchdoyouloveme ($3.30-$4.40-$3.50F) had a field of class sprinters off the bit before cruising over the line two lengths clear.
In his wake he left Canali ($9.50-$10) and Latin News ($31-$26), while the Peter Snowden trained Altar was fourth.
Former Melbourne apprentice Brenton Avdulla has partnered Howmuchdoyouloveme in all of his five wins.
“It’s a big thrill to ride him and I’ve been with him every step of the way.”
Howmuchdoyouloveme“From day one when we trialled him I knew he was pretty special and they were thinking of selling him but I’m glad they kept him.”
Avdulla went into today's race concerned about Howmuchdoyouloveme's fitness as he last raced when winning the Ramornie Handicap in early July.
“I was a little bit worried today because he is only 80-85% fit. Con has got him as well as he could to get him here today but I was just a little bit suspect if he’d be on tired legs for the last 100m which he was.”
“We were able to get through the first 600m comfortable enough and just thought on the point of the corner, with the run I’d had that I’d just see how good he is and see if they can get me but he was just too strong.”
Howmuchdoyouloveme ran an 11.12 second sectional from the 400m to the 200m which put the issue beyond doubt.
Avdulla was apprenticed to Caulfield trainer John Moloney before going to Sydney and forging his own reputation.
“Everything started here when I was 15 and I’d never put a head collar on a horse but I left school and John and Gerard (Moloney) have been big supporters of mine and without them I wouldn’t be here today.”
Con KarakatsanisKarakatsanis warned that Howmuchdoyouloveme can only improve on his form for the rest of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
"He was first-up for ten weeks so he is going to have a lot of improvement under his belt."
On his potential: “He just puts himself in the race and he is absolutely bombproof. He has got a big future.”
On his spring targets: “I will just see how he pulls up but at this stage he’ll go to the Salinger (Yellowglen Stakes, Flemington, 1200m) and if he runs well there he will back up in the Patinack Farm (Classic).”
The story of Howmuchdoyouloveme has an affinity with that of Takeover Target, also sold cheaply through the sales before becoming a multiple stakeswinner. Celtic Swing, the sire of Takeover Target is also the damsire of Betula Belle.
"If he is only half as good as Takeover Target I’ll be rapt", said Karakatsanis.
He gave credit for the win to his father and the Moloney stable who have accommodated Howmuchdoyouloveme during his Melbourne visit.
"Dad has done a great job, we work together and it’s great for the stable, great for the team and it’s much appreciated.”
As for Betula Belle, she was served by Written Tycoon in November last year. Its a fair bet that if she produces a live foal this year, Bill Cockram will be agitating to get her reinstated in the Stud Book.
Photos: Quentin Lang, Fiona Tomlin
