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Letter of the Week

Syd got the bug

Ballarat trainer Syd Catherall died last month after a short illness, aged 89.  
A butcher by trade, his move into thoroughbreds came via a friend when he purchased Princess Duneed. When she won a Ballarat maiden in  December 1984 Syd admitted he had the bug. 
He only bought cheapies and one of those was the mare  True Pearl, who saluted  in the 1993 Warracknabeal Cup as a three-year-old, ridden  by Stephen Baster, and went on to win in Melbourne. 
As a broodmare True Pearl went on to produced Perliffic and Western Waters. 
Perliffic was a hardy performer, winning 10 of 93 starts including two in Melbourne and over $180,000 in stakes, while Western Waters completed the Bendigo/Ballarat cups double in 2003, piloted by Wayne Hokai. 
This feat was previously achieved by Bobalex in 1968 (riden by Frank Reys for George Hanlon). The celebrations by family and friends were prolonged.
Western Waters had only two more starts before being retired and given away as a hack. However, he was crowned  2004 Victorian country horse of the year and accumulated $350,000  from seven wins in 33 starts. 
Syd had  been a regular at Ballarat meetings in retirement and enjoyed a strong bond with fellow trainers Paddy Payne and the late Colin Rees.

Noel Graham
Ballarat (Vic)
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