Golden Goodbye For Grand Sprinter Wise Misty

OWNER-trainer Craig Hazelgrove announced Wise Misty's retirement straight after his grand sprint bitch fought back to win the Group 3 Ipswich Gold Cup (520m) last night.

The daughter of Paw Licking-Wise Prospect led, was headed, but came again to score by a head over Charming Chaos in 30.40 with two and a quarter lengths to Maywyn's Noice in third in the $75,000-to-the-winner final.

“It has always been in the back of my mind that she was nearing retirement,” said Craig. “And after winning the Cup, there is no better time to call it quits.”

Wise Misty will retire with the remarkable record of 71 starts for 33 wins and 17 placings earning $239,000.

Craig's mum Noela gave the then five month old puppy to him as a birthday present.

“If mum had asked me what I wanted as a birthday present, how would she have reacted if I said I wanted $239,000,” joked Craig.

Craig was doubtful of victory despite his bitch's brilliance from the boxes.

“I didn't like her drawing the eight box in that field,” he said. “I thought she would try to carve across and could get into trouble.

“And then when she got headed on the turn by Charming Chaos, I was just happy to run a place.

“When she fought back … well she got up.”

Wise Misty has been an outstanding bitch all her career also winning an Ipswich Young Guns, a New Year's Trophy and Australia Day Trophy at Albion Park and being third in the Group 2 Queensland Futurity.

She has twice run 29.64 at Albion Park.

“She has been so sound in the latter stages of her career, but when she finished third in the Futurity she pulled up sore and it took three vets to find what was wrong,” said Craig.

“It was a tear in her chest and a shoulder problem. It put her out for four months.”

Craig has already looked at potential sires and is leaning towards Fernando Bale, Kinloch Brae and down the track a mating to Sennachie.

“Winning the Cup is a shock to me,” said Craig. “It's all the dog. It's got nothing to do with me.”

Wise Misty is a result of five generations of breeding by the Hazelgrove family who loaned Cyclone Kelly as a broodbitch for two litters. She is the fourth dam of Wise Misty.

Pic: Courtesy Box 1 Photography