Veteran Kiwi not shot yet
HUMPHREY O’Leary isn’t worried by the historical ‘‘Stop’’ sign that his horse Who Shot Thebarman faces in trying to win Australasia’s most famous race on Tuesday.
No nine-year-old horse has won the Melbourne Cup, which was first held in 1861.
In fact only two eight-year-olds have won it, so the history that horse spotters place so much store in is firmly stacked against the evergreen Kiwi gelding, who was foaled at the famous White Robe Lodge nursery at Mosgiel, south of Dunedin, on November 2, 2008. He’s five months older than the Irish raider, Wicklow Brave.
In human terms, Who Shot Thebarman is around the 35 year mark.
O’Leary, who owns the horse with wife Fiona and his three brothers and their wives, isn’t concerned about the cup hoodoo.
‘‘I’ve been doing a couple of comparisons with Roger Federer and I think he’ll do OK.’’ The great tennis-playing Fed is 36.
Whatever history says, Who Shot Thebarman is in great form, having won the Moonee Valley Cup just last Saturday, and he has a great record in the Melbourne Cup despite not winning it.
He was third at his first attempt in 2014, had no luck at all when 11th the following year and charged home for fifth last year after getting too far back from a wide barrier draw.
Expert Kiwi expat Chris Waller trains him, but earlier on he won an Auckland Cup when trained at Awapuni, Palmerston North, by Mark Oulaghan.
Humphrey, Shaun and Michael O’Leary farm in the Whangaehu Valley in the Whanganui district; their brother Danny is also a dairy farmer, at Marton in the Rangitikei district.
With their own families, wider clan and friends, their Melbourne Cup party at Flemington has become an annual ritual because of their horse’s deeds.
Humphrey reckons they will have 100 in tow on Tuesday.
‘‘We’re being joined by some fan clubs from Tamworth and Ballarat. They’ve got their own Who Shot Thebarman caps and shirts. They just seem to love the idea of a horse who was not overly priced as a youngster and who’s been able to race at the top level for a long time.’’
Fiona is a graphic designer and came up with the orange and white dotted ties and caps that family members wear. They are a nod to the O’Leary racing colours which will be worn by jockey Tommy Berry on Tuesday.
Who Shot Thebarman has proved a money-spinning investment, costing only around $8000. From 47 starts, he has won 10 times and claimed just over $3 million in prizemoney.
‘‘He was a bit difficult early on and didn’t race until he was four but it’s been worth it at the other end of his career,’’ Humphrey O’Leary said.
‘‘He’s given us a great run. It’s unbelievable.,’’ who thinks with luck in the running he can run in the money again on Tuesday.
And the often-told story about the horse’s name? When the O’Leary brothers were younger their late aunt Julie would keep them on their toes when her glass of gin and water was running on empty. ‘‘Who shot the barman?’’ she’d say.
‘‘She’ll be looking down on Tuesday and having a bit of a giggle,’’ nephew Humphrey said.