This should be the Australian punting fraternity’s favourite horse

Clinton Payne - Thursday October 19

The old punting phrase 'the more you win the better the price' and there's a horse racing at Randwick on Saturday to which it no doubt applies.

Wayne Seelin and Isorich are genuine punters pals. Photo: Steve Hart

The Wayne Seelin-trained Isorich is the horse and he will be chasing his third straight win in the Jem Computer Systems Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).

Have a look at Isorich's last five starts.

He was a $16 chance when he won at Warwick Farm back in July before returning from a let-up and finishing third at Rosehill at $26. He then ran third at Rosehill, this time at $41 and since then has won his past two at Randwick, starting at $21 on each occasion.

"He's as genuine as they come and always has been," Seelin said. "This prep he's hit some nice hard tracks, the harder the track is the better he seems to go. He's just thriving.

"I suppose bookies are happy to take on a horse like him because the stats say they don't win three in a row at this point of a horse's career generally but they don't often win two in a row either."

From 69 starts, Isorich has won 10 times and placed on another 26 occasions with earnings of more than $500,000.

In early betting for Saturday's race, Isorich is again unfancied in markets at $15.

"I'm sure he'll run well again from a good gate," Seelin said.

"He's getting up in the weights of course but he's carried weight before and it's definitely not as strong a race as it was last time. There's no Tango Rain or I Thought So in the race.

"I think it's a length or so weaker race so that makes up for the extra weight.

"My only concern heading into Saturday is the possibility of rain. Provided the peno (penetrometer) doesn't go above five point something I won't be too worried.

"I think he's probably looking and feeling better than he has all prep.

"I'll be having something on him again on Saturday."

Seelin describes Isorich as "the best I've trained" but prior to taking out his licence he was involved in a three-time Stakes winner.

"I've had a couple of horses that won Group races before I started training," he said.

"I raced Spiritual Star with Neville McBurney. He was the second horse I ever had and he won a Wyong Cup, Chairman's Handicap and a Summer Cup."

Isorich cost the Wyong-based trainer just $7500 but after Seelin inspected the yearlings at the Scone sales yard in 2012, the bay Choisir colt wasn't the horse he expected to be taking home.

"He was lot two at Scone and I wasn't in the ring when the bidding stopped but I couldn't run fast enough to get there," he said. "I had it written in my sales book that I won't be able to afford him and then when I could I just had to have him."

Seelin is a self-taught horseman than does his own thing in his own way and the proof is in the pudding with the longevity of his small string of horses.

"I'm working six at the minute," he said. "Mine spend plenty of time in paddocks and they tend to race on and on.

"I've got another horse here at the moment Feature. She's had almost 90 starts and won 10.

"I get value for money out of them.

"I don't pay a lot of attention to what other trainers do. I've got a good dam here we do lots of swimming in, lots of days all Isorich does is go for a good walk from his paddock to the dam for a swim then back to his paddock eating grass all day.

"He's lives a bit of a life of leisure as far as racehorses are concerned.

"When you look at him and Feature, their joints are just like they were when they were babies. Sound as anything.

"Most of my horses tend to have plenty of starts and long preps."

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Age Shall Not Weary Him
While most 12 year-old thoroughbreds have made the transition to either an equestrian career or the breeding barn, Isorich has been soldiering on and he was back in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Thursday to the great delight of his trainer Wayne Seelin.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.