When Bundalaguah trainer Sharyn Trolove awoke last Sunday her first thought was, “It must be a dream.”
Trust me, Sharyn, it’s no dream. Stable superstar Not Enough Effort ($5.50) had 14 hours earlier added a fourth picket to his fence, impressively beating a quality field of three-year olds at Flemington in the Furphy Ale Plate (1100m).
Thriving on racing and stepping up to the plate every time he goes around, the gelding they call “Max” gave Trolove her first metro Saturday winner and her first Flemington success (though she’d a placegetter there with God Help Her in January 2012).
Not Enough Effort has formed a formidable partnership with Cranbourne hoop Brian Park, who rated the three-year-old perfectly. He proved too good for a gallant Des Moines and the promising Beerz With Clint.
A huge contingent of Gippsland-based owners were on hand to welcome back their speedster, though while excited they didn’t go so far as hoisting Park on their shoulders, as Steel Prince’s connections had done with Damien Oliver the race before.
An emotional Trolove was relieved and delighted with the best horse she’s ever put a saddle on, explaining: “He’s always shown loads of ability and loves his work. I thought the straight might test him but he thrives on the challenge. He’s amazing.”
Not Enough Effort was bred by Trolove in partnership with part-owners Mark McLean and Trevor Platt. McLean is a part-owner of the sire, Reward for Effort, the Peter Moody-trained 2009 Blue Diamond winner.
Trolove and partner Andy Perdon purchased Not Enough Effort’s dam, Faltaat mare Moonlight Ballet, at the 2007 Inglis March sale from Lindsay Park Racing for $3400. The mare had been a $NZ45,000 ($A42,500) graduate of the 2005 Karaka Select yearling sale.
“She won a maiden at Bairnsdale before having to be retired due to chipping a knee for the third time,” Trolove said.
“She’s had the three foals (Tycoon Felix, Moonlight’s Reward and Not Enough Effort), who have all shown ability and been quite hot-headed horses. He’s definitely the pick of the three.
“She was served by (Quest For Fame stallion) Sea Battle last season, but appears to be not in foal. She’ll certainly be returning to Reward For Effort this season.”
Not Enough Effort, whose four wins from four starts have yielded $207,900, has come through Saturday’s assignment in fine order. A decision on his immediate racing future was to be made by week’s end.
“He’s been in work since October, but you’d never know,” Trolove said.
“We will sit down and decide later in the week, working in possible spring targets and a decent break to allow him to further develop both mentally and physically. He’s still inexperienced and has plenty to learn.”
There has also been plenty of interest from Hong Kong buyers hoping to add a readymade racer to their ownership portfolio, dating back to his impressive trial victory at Cranbourne on March 18 prior to his racetrack debut at Sale.
Trolove confirmed there had been more interest since Saturday.
“We had several calls and texts. When we get something set in stone, we’ll put them to the owners.
“There hasn’t been much interest to sell at this stage.”