HARD SELL
BETAIMA could be the horse no one wanted who won the race everyone targeted.
Cincotta revealed he struggled to find owners for the filly but his creative approach to getting investors has provided an entertaining journey for many first-time horse owners.
“I couldn’t sell Betaima,” Cincotta said.
“She is a Better Than Ready, a first-season sire, from an unproven mare (Naima).
“We found a couple of firsttime owners. There are a couple of young lads who split 2.5 per cent between them.
“My grandfather-in-law took 5 per cent and it got to the point where I had to register the horse so I ended up taking more.
“One lady bought a share for her husband’s birthday.”
Betaima finished fourth in last Saturday’s final two-yearold race before the Classic, a race that has produced three winners of the $2 million race in recent years.
But jockey Jeff Lloyd and Cincotta weren’t concerned and were confident the first run in six weeks would be the perfect lead-up.
“Jeff said he had a massive blow after the post and she will improve,” Cincotta said.
“She had no trial or jumpout. She was beaten by three lengths by horses up and running.
“I think she could explode this weekend.”