Jack Sheather is still pinching himself.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The brickie from Young, and owner-breeder of the Chris Waller-trained Melbourne Cup runner Youngstar, will again be trackside at Flemington Racecourse for this year's edition of the race that stops the nation.
Little did he know when he started breeding thoroughbreds, only a few years ago, that the first horse he sent to a sale would end up racing in multiple Melbourne Cups.
He and his wife Karen head to Melbourne on Saturday morning to attend Derby Day and the Cup barrier draw, followed by the Melbourne Cup parade on Monday, and the big dance at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.
Youngstar is a sure starter and is aiming to improve on last year's sixth place finish.
"Being involved last year I discovered the whole concept of the Melbourne Cup and it blew me way. It's just a real honour to be a part of it. It's something I find hard to explain, I think you have to be there in the moment," Jack said.
"I'm still pinching myself. People come and say to me 'are you the bloke that bred Youngstar? I've been following that story'. I read in stories that he's bred and reared in Young, it's really special."
Youngstar, a product of Starspangled by High Chaparal, was foaled at Young, prepped by John and Helen North at Young's Bowness Stud and was sold for $200,000.
Jack and Karen secured a share in the syndicate, who decided to name her Youngstar.
She was a "late bloomer", Jack said, however, one evening at Canterbury Park, Waller noticed she had something special.
It was only her second competitive outing and she finished fourth in a four horse race.
"It took awhile for her to find her feet. Waller picked that out in her and told us not to give up on her. In one of her first starts at Canterbury she finished fourth out of four and he said 'you have something special here'. He knows his job," Jack said.
Tommy Berry is set to have the ride on Tuesday.
Jack's hoping Youngstar draws an inside barrier as he's confident she'll improve on her recent form.
"This campaign he's [Waller] done nothing but target Youngstar for this race. It'd be nice to pull it off, but, if not, I'm so proud of her anyway," he said.
"I think she can run very well probably better than her form suggests. Tommy Berry will ride her and he's said she'll go well.
"It's tough to pick though. There's only three or four Australian horses in it. There's probably around 20 foreign racers who are the best stayers in the world. So, I feel honoured, it's a big achievement just to be there."
Youngstar finished sixth last year and was first of the Australian contingent.
"The day she sold was a buzz and it's still an amazing ride. We're very excited. We'd love to bring some good news back to the town," Jack said.
The Cup race worth $8m in prizemoney is scheduled to jump at 3pm, Tuesday.
READ ALSO: Snakes emerge in Young as weather warms up
