Christine Cook walked to the winners’ circle after another victory for Lost And Running last year, smiling and congratulating her friends, Carl and Lorraine Holt, on their success.
Little did she know she was also a part-owner in the sprint star that will now run for the world’s richest prize on turf in The Everest at Randwick on Saturday.
“Someone just said to me, ‘what are you doing – you know you own him as well’,” Cook recalled. “I looked at [my husband] Frank and said, ‘do we?’ He just nodded. I didn’t know. But he has quickly become one of my favourites.”
At the time of that exchange, Lost and Running was making his way through the grades and stamping himself as one for the future. It’s fair to say Cook has taken a closer interest in him since.
“I was thinking they had a good horse, and I was so happy for them,” Cook said. “All of a sudden, I could be happy for us. The good thing is since I have known [we owned him] he has started winning trophies.”
Lost And Running, which is named after a Powderfinger song, races in the colours of Carl Holt, who was as shocked as Christine when she found out she had a share in the horse.
Lost And Running at Botany Bay.Credit:Ashlea Brennan
He had bought the horse with Frank and had no idea Christine was in the dark.
“Frank and I were in the car together when John [O’Shea, trainer] rang about him as a yearling,” Holt said. “I was happy to buy him but Frank said, ‘I will take a bit as well’.
“We are all good friends and I just thought Christine knew, so it has become a bit of a joke between us. But she is always there when we pick a trophy.”
The Cooks and Holts have had their share of good horses but Lost And Running is one of the very best, given it will be taking them to The Everest for the second time on Saturday.
A gallant fourth last year, Lost And Running is considered the main danger to favourite Nature Strip in the $15million showcase at Randwick after scoring the ninth win of his career in the Premiere Stakes a couple of Saturdays ago.
O’Shea’s wife, Isabella, is also in the ownership.
“He’s got a very important owner in Mrs O’Shea,” O’Shea said. “We are all good friends, which makes it even more fun for everybody.
“We planned to get into The Everest last year, and thought he might be 12 months too early. He has matured into a powerful sprinter now and I think he is going better than last year.
“We have got the perfect draw for him and, if he can get the right run, I’m sure he will go close for all concerned.”
Lost And Running completed his main piece of work for The Everest on the Randwick course proper on Tuesday. He followed his usual recovery on Wednesday by heading to Botany Bay for a swim.
“He just likes the beach, and it is a good way for them to relax as well,” O’Shea said. “We’ll just take him out and stretch his legs in the mornings between now and Saturday because he is ready.”
