Star’s brother being broken in

The half brother of rising harness racing star Ohoka Connor (Sunshine Beach) which won Sunday’s (Apr. 23) Group Two Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes at Ascot Park, is in the process of being broken in after he missed last February’s yearling sale because of injury. 

Ohoka Cobra (Bettor’s Delight) has recovered from the paddock injury that caused owner Katie Carville to withdraw him from the Sale and Russley trainer Steve Dolan has now been charged with breaking him in. 

“There was interest in him post Sale, but I guess everyone wanted to make sure everything was alright and that he was 100% physically well,” Dolan said. 

Dolan added that the yearling has been checked out and that he’s in good health. 

“Katie’s still on the same trajectory and has told me he’s still on the market as soon as we get him up and running. She wants to get out (of harness racing) and get rid of all her horses. She’s down to a couple and this is one of them.” 

Dolan said Ohoka Cobra is a nice type but has a bit of catching up to do. 

“He had to be boxed for a while because they were concerned that he’d done something to the vertebrae in his neck so he never got the chance to get physically strong. So he’s got to catch up, but conformation wise he’s perfect.” 

The horse is in the early stages of being broken in and Dolan say’s it too early to say whether he’ll make a two year old. 

“Until I get him bowling around in the cart it’s hard to say, but with the change to the racing season we’ve got plenty of time to wait on him. I suspect he will be up and running as a two year old.” 

Dolan says it’s a shame Carville is leaving the sport. 

“She’s had such a good year with Ohoka Le Bron (Rock N Roll Heaven), Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous), Ohoka Connor – the list just goes on and on but unfortunately she couldn’t make a dollar out of it. I think she’ll get good money for this horse but we just have to go through the process.” 

The colt is also a full brother to star pacing mare Braeview Kelly which won seven races in New Zealand before heading to Australia where she’s won another nine including the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Mile in 1-49.5, Group Three Sibelia Stakes and Group Three Frith Stakes. 

Ohoka Cobra’s dam Idolise (American Ideal) was recently sold to Dancingonmoonlight in foal to Bettor’s Delight.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink