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Diplomat McGauran excited by his Calaway Gal contender Rhapsody Rose

Long-time federal MP’s Star Witness filly out to clinch a start in Magic Millions 2YO Classic

Former Australian government minister Peter McGauran’s first foray into racehorse ownership could deliver him a maiden stakes win and send the value of his filly Rhapsody Rose (Star Witness) soaring if she can win today’s $125,000 Boomer Bloodstock Calaway Gal Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Eagle Farm

The US-based McGauran, an instrumental figure in helping the racing industry recover from the disastrous equine influenza outbreak more than a decade ago, races the Chris Munce-trained Rhapsody Rose with her breeder Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock.

A $120,000 purchase from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft by McGauran, the incumbent consulargeneral of Australia based in Houston, at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale last January, Rhapsody Rose led throughout to score at Doomben on November 14 at her second race start. 

“She’s turned out extremely well. I have noticed from the time she was being broken-in, to cantering, jumpouts and trials, she wants to be a racehorse. Even when she was green and wobbling all over the track, she always had her head out and was trying to do the right thing,” McGauran told ANZ Bloodstock News from Houston yesterday. 

“That’s half the battle. She’s determined and she will want to find the line and she has a long stride, which is of great natural assistance.

“She is going to be competitive and she is growing all the time. She is going to be an even better three-year-old, so Joanthan and I have a lot to look forward to.”

McGauran, who retired from politics in 2008 after 25 years as a member of Parliament, held key roles at Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Racing NSW and, more recently, a four-year tenure as chief executive of Racing Australia before his consular posting.

Despite his interest in horseracing, it was only this year that he took the leap of faith into ownership.

“Chris Munce is a good friend and I’d always promised him a yearling and, as I am returning to Australia at the end of my term in January, he chose a horse for me at the Magic Millions with Arthur Hoyeau, who is a very good judge, and they bid $120,000,” he recalled. 

“Then, lo and behold, the breeder was Jonathan Munz. He’s an old friend, so when he heard that I was the purchaser, he asked to stay in the horse. I said, ‘Sure Jonathan, I’m happy to have you in for ten or 20 per cent’ but he said, ‘oh no, I always retain 50 per cent’ and I welcomed that.

“Jonathan’s a delight and he allows me to manage the horse until such time that I make a wrong decision, even after consulting him.”

Rhapsody Rose is the first foal out of winning mare Ritzy (Medaglia d’Oro), a $500,000 purchase by Dean Hawthorne as a yearling for Munz, who is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand) and the Group 3-placed, Group 1-performed Wordplay (Fastnet Rock).

Indications from Munce are encouraging, suggesting to McGauran that Rhapsody Rose was maintaining her condition and remains well in contention for a spot in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 16.

“She’s just the perfect horse for a small-time owner such as myself in that she looks a picture, she’s grown and continues to grow. She’s got a great spirit, she has some natural ability, but how much, we’ll find out in due course, and I am very fortunate to be involved with such a beautiful animal.

“She goes back to the farm after any serious trial or run and the most she will do on the farm is on the water walker. 

“He gallops her sparingly and she also spends time on the beach. She’s quite fiery, she’s professional, but she wants to run, so the beach calms her down. Chris has handled her development superbly.”

If the Star Witness (Starcraft) filly does clinch a berth in the Magic Millions race, McGauran will be watching the race in hotel quarantine.

He said: “My posting as consular-general concludes in January and I don’t exit quarantine until the 25th of January, so I will be watching it from the isolation of a hotel room in inner Sydney somewhere.

“She’s forward enough, she’s physically developed enough, the attitude’s right and, if she remains perfectly healthy and fit, she will take her place barring an unexpected collapse in form. 

“She’ll certainly be competitive on Saturday and that will catapult her into the Magic Millions.”

McGauran, who could expand his bloodstock interests in the new year on the back of his immediate success with Rhapsody Rose, said Australia retained a reputation as a global racing industry leader.

“Australian racing is arguably the best in the world and that is widely acknowledged wherever you go, and really it is only complacency or internal divisions that can hinder the continued progress and success,” he said. 

“The picture is very promising and the economics for an owner and breeder stack up like nowhere else in the world.

“The Americans are fascinated by our system of wagering levies and taxes and we’re the envy of the world in that regard. 

“No one has been quite able to copy the Australian system, despite the best efforts and much discussion by racing jurisdictions.”

McGauran’s imminent return to Australia follows a three-year stint in the US where he has encountered the presidency of Donald Trump and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“And there’s also been civil unrest. It has been a fascinating and exciting time to be reporting on the United States in the past three years,” he said. 

“There are many Americas. It is complex and vast and diverse and a great challenge for a diplomat.”

As for his own professional future, McGauran said: “I will be taking on some board positions of Australian and US companies. I am limiting myself to a US orientation that will bring me back and build on the political and economic experience and contacts that I have developed while I have been consular-general.”

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