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Randy Goulding: A favourite, Matsqui, that’s constantly fighting for respect continues to prove themselves.
Published Aug 01, 2024 • Last updated 47 minutes ago • 4 minute read
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Matsqui will probably get overlooked again when she runs in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Distaff at Hastings Racecourse on Monday. Photo by Michael Bye / BC Racebook /jpg
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Owner-trainer Mark Freeman has been a fan of thoroughbred horse racing since he was a boy growing up in Ontario. Little did he know he would develop a strong passion and become heavily involved in the sport as an adult.
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Freeman is part-owner of Matsqui, who will probably get overlooked again when she runs in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Distaff at Hastings Racecourse on Monday. The Distaff is one of six $50,000 stake races that make up the bulk of the eight-race B.C. Cup card, which is always one of the highlights of the meet.
Matsqui paid $35.10 when she won the $50,000 Monashee at Hastings on July 1. It was easy to overlook the four-year-old B.C. bred daughter of Finality in the 1 1/16 miles Monashee. She was stepping up in class following a win in a $20,000 conditional claimer and hadn’t really threatened in her first two starts of the year.
The two losses came in sprints, however.
Looking a little deeper into her past performances, she has an excellent 8-2-3-2 record going around three turns and closed out her sophomore season with a third-place finish in the $75,000 B.C. Oaks.
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“She just doesn’t get any respect and we call her the Rodney Dangerfield of the filly and mare division at Hastings,” said Freeman. “But she is usually in the mix and she always tries.”
Freeman is the manager of the Hastings Racing Club. He joined the club at the urging of the late Richard Yates. His involvement in racing has grown considerably since that first meeting in 2016.
“I blame Richard for getting me into this,” he said. “I was standing by the paddock one day and Richard, who was the tallest person around, looked like someone who knew a lot about horse racing. I had a question for him and it did not take long before we became good friends.
“He encouraged me to join the racing club and also for me to learn more about the horses. I started working at his barn, walking horses and eventually learned enough to become a trainer. After Richard died Dave Milburn and his brother Pete Milburn took over as my mentors.”
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Freeman branched out from the racing club and became the trainer for Renfrew Racing. His first winner as a trainer came with Carolina Gent in 2022.
“Renfrew Racing is made up of club members who like me wanted to be involved a bit more,“ said Freeman. “We are all still members of the club. It’s a great deal and I strongly recommend anyone that wants to be more involved with racing join the club.”
Freeman likes the way Matsqui is coming into the Distaff. Once again, the shape of the race could work in her favour.
“When I saw Air Force and We B Three setting a fast pace I knew Matsqui had a chance,” he said. “She had a nice work, is doing well and we know she’s going to try.”
FRIDAY SELECTIONS: FIRST RACE 7 P.M.
RACE 2: OSTRACIZE is capable of handling the jump in class following a sharp win for trainer Rob Maybin on June 14.
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RACE 4: STATION ONE has a right to improve after racing greenly while finishing third in his debut for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Adding to his appeal is that in the past three years Mendoza has a 39 per cent strike rate and $3.53 ROI with second-time starting maidens.
RACE 6: MARYS TAPPIN SHOES will find these a lot easier after finishing third to Matsqui on June 14, and with a couple of decent interim works, she appears to be primed for a big effort for trainer Mel Snow.
MONDAY SELECTIONS: FIRST RACE 2:30 P.M.
RACE 6: SUNBIRD galloped out a strong five furlongs after working a half-mile last Sunday and appears primed for a big effort for trainer Terry Jordan. He has been a bit of a disappointment so far this year but he drew a nice post and could get the right kind of trip with an aggressive ride by Amadeo Perez.
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Randy Goulding has been handicapping horses and writing for The Racing Form at Hastings Park for more than 30 years. His column will run every Friday throughout the racing season.
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Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/the-distaff-is-one-of-six-50000-stake-races-that-make-up-the-bulk-of-the-eight-race-b-c-cup-card