Rob Crabtree spent last weekend with water up to his armpits trying to save horses on a flood-ravaged neighbouring farm.
He could leave his own Dorrington stud in Nagambie in regional Victoria because the banks were preventing it from being inundated. But others weren’t so lucky.
“My manager and I went down to Noorilim Farm and helped another 100-odd people evacuate the horses out of there and that was frightening,” Crabtree said.
“We had three mares down there ready to foal down. We got them out and were up to our armpits in a current of 15 knots where you could hardly stand up. You don’t know whether you’re going to stand in holes or anything else.
“It’s something you wouldn’t experience in your lifetime. This is the biggest rain event this area has had in probably 150 years.”
One of the mares he rescued was Scandiva, a relation to the incomparable Black Caviar. Scandiva was due to foal at any moment when the rain hit. On Tuesday, she had a foal out of Written Tycoon.
She’s Extreme (left) won the Champagne Stakes in the autumn and is vying for her second group 1 this weekend.Credit:Getty
It might be a silver lining for Crabtree in a horrible week for stud farms in Victoria, which posted urgent social media pleas for help when floodwaters were rising. The breeding community rallied and Yulong reported it saved all bar two foals from the swollen rivers.
“The community has been very stoic and almost heroic at times,” Crabtree said. “The industry is wonderful. I wish some people could see us putting our lives at risk trying to save our horses.”
Crabtree is hoping the weather emergency can be cast to the back of his mind when She’s Extreme takes on the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick.
A man who usually only breeds his own stock, the Melbourne businessman was prompted to buy an Extreme Choice filly for $275,000 at the Inglis Easter yearling sale last year.
He was vindicated when She’s Extreme denied Fireburn the two-year-old triple crown with an upset win in the Champagne Stakes and Anthony Cummings has her primed to upset the boys in the $2 million major on Saturday.
“It’s the only horse I bought for the year and I was after an Extreme Choice,” Crabtree said. “He was having difficulty in the breeding barn. If you can’t breed one you have to buy one.
“We’re very happy with the purchase because she’s one of those rare two-year-olds who has gone on and looks like being a good three-year-old and maybe older. It was a wet season [last autumn] so it does take more out of them. We’re very pleased she’s not only shown courage, but strength into her next prep.
“[Anthony’s] really nurturing his horses well. He’s dedicated to this horse and he’s done a fantastic job with her. I would love to see her on top of the ground because I’m sure that’s where her best performances will be. In the meantime she can cope with the heavy and a number of them can’t.”
She’s Extreme was a fast-finishing second to Zougotcha in the Flight Stakes last start and will be one of just two fillies (including Renaissance Woman) in the Spring Champion Stakes.
She’s Extreme was a $5.50 joint second favourite with Sportsbet on Wednesday trailing Caulfield Guineas runner-up Elliptical ($4.20) in early betting.
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