WHEN Gotta Take Care finished more than 12 lengths last in his race debut back in December, 2008, no one could have imagined he would go on to earn more than $1m in stakes.
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But this is exactly what the grand campaigner did under the masterful care of Ballarat trainer Darren Weir. Gotta Take Care won 20 times in 78 starts, and also had 10 seconds and 10 thirds for earning of $1,038,179.
Weir called an end to the 10-year-old’s racing career on Sunday after a failed to finish in the $80,000 Dreschler Hurdle - a race he had previously won four times.
Jockey John Allen, who has had a great association with Gotta Take Care, pulled him up inside the last 600m when it was clear he had had enough.
Weir said Gotta Take Care had pulled up without any issues, but the time was right to retire him.
“I think he’s been the most winning horse that I’ve ever trained. He’s been a great horse to us and a great horse for jumps racing.” Weir said Gotta Take Care’s future would now be as a riding pony for one of his staff.
From his humble beginnings, Weir developed Gotta Take Care into one of Victoria’s most versatile and one of the state’s most popular gallopers. His jumps record was outstanding. Out of Cellar Dweller, which also raced under the guidance of Weir, Gotta Take Care won nine of 18 jumps starts and was also placed six times.
He won his maiden hurdle on his jumps debut at Warrnambool in September 2011 and made his big-time breakthrough as a jumper in the Dreschler Hurdle in 2011. With Allen aboard, he went on to take out the 2012 Lafferty Hurdle at Warrnambool, 2012 Dreschler Hurdle, 2013 Yalumba Hurdle at Oakbank, 2013 and 2014 Dreschler Hurdle, 2014 Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool, and 2014 Australian Hurdle at Sandown.
No wonder Allen quickly nominated Gotta Take Care has his favourite horse. The gelding had a huge role in enabling the Irish-born Allen to establish himself in jockey ranks in Victoria.
While the son of Rubiton will be best known for his deeds over the jumps, he also proved himself on the flat. Although the start of his career was anything but flattering, he went on to be a multiple metropolitan winner and being place three times in group 2 (once) and listed (twice) company.
MEANWHILE, Weir has another promising hurdler on his hands. Now And Zen ($1.60 favourite) remains unbeaten over the jumps after stretching his winning run to four in Adelaide on Saturday. The 6yo has found a new lease on life as a racehorse with hurdle wins at Warrnambool, Casterton, Bendigo and now Morphettville.
