De Villiers maintains roll
From internet buy to Cunnamulla bush racing champ
RACING: It might not have stolen the limelight from Rekindling’s Melbourne Cup feat but one of Queensland best bush racing stories continued on its winning way at Charleville on Tuesday.
For those who missed it — De Villiers took out this year’s $15,000 Charleville Cup (1620m) with a six-length victory over Palace Tycoon.
The win provided Cunnamulla hobby trainer Barry Sheppard with his latest highlight but the win came as no surprise to those who have followed the tale of De Villiers since he moved to the south-west Queensland town this year.
The son of Redoute’s Choice and Pure Beauty arrived at Cunnamulla in March with just one minor placing next to his name from eight New South Wales starts.
De Villiers has now rattled up 10 wins from 11 starts for his new connections with his only defeat resulting in a second placing behind country award winner Fab’s Cowboy at Charleville in July.
Sheppard has led in his fair share of winners since taking up training 18 years ago, including two city victories with El Tempestad.
But an internet search to find a stable replacement for injured 2016 Charleville Cup runner-up The Yowie is now providing Sheppard with one of his greatest rides.
“I was on the lookout for another Redoute’s Choice horse to replace The Yowie after he did a tendon when finishing second in last year’s Charleville Cup,” said Sheppard who races De Villiers with his wife Michelle, David Sheppard, Owie Schmidt, Justin Hickey and Tommy Evans.
“I bought him in March off the A Trojan Bloodstock internet site.
“He lobbed in Cunnamulla for $9000 and things have just gone from there.
“He’d had a throat operation which comes with a few risks, but he must be one of the more successful ones. He hasn’t had a problem since I’ve had him.
“He’s a bit of a nervy horse who is more comfortable on his own and I think the quieter surrounds out here definitely agree with him.”
De Villiers won his maiden on debut for Sheppard at Augathella in April.
His winning tally now includes the Morven, Cunnamulla and Charleville cups.
“The best part is he has won on five different tracks,” Sheppard said.
“We race here at Cunnamulla four times a year and he won a race at every meeting for us.”
De Villiers has built a steady following among south-west race goers and is now eyeing a possible start in the $50,000 Roma Cup (1640m) on Saturday week.
“He really wants more time between his runs but he could go to the Roma Cup,” Sheppard said.
“He’s been in work since December but we’ll see how he pulls up this week and make a decision then.
“Not too many horses have done what he’s done to go from a maiden win to a Charleville Cup in one preparation.
“He’s a real nice horse and he knows he it as well.
“He’s got a few people talking about him which is good for country racing.”
Not too many horses have done what he’s done.
— Barry Sheppard