Rusty Retires With A Swag Of Memories

WHEN the Punters HQ Syndicate purchased a group of ready-to-race pups from Dave and Danielle Pringle in early 2017, included in the package was a red brindle son of Barcia Bale that went by the name of Rusty Memories.

"We got him pretty cheap because he was a bit of a nut job early on, David (Pringle) said that in his trials he was bombing it four or five lengths most of the time," reflected Punters HQ's Craig O'Loughlin.

"We syndicated him out to 15 people for just $400 a share each and each member multiplied their investment by four in the end and got plenty of enjoyment along the way."

Derive enjoyment they certainly did.

Rusty Memories – a son of Barcia Bale and Midnight Capers – raced on 89 occasions for 29 victories and a further 24 placings. His stake earnings, a cool $66,010.

"I can still remember standing beside Dave Pringle at Wentworth Park the night of his debut in a heat of the Magic Maiden," said O'Loughlin.

"When he came out running you could have knocked Dave over with a feather after what he'd been doing in his trials – he won easily in 29.99. He then came out good in the semi as well, it was just like he had flicked a switch."

Following ‘Rusty's' seventh placing in the Group 3 Magic Maiden Final, the red brindle flyer headed to Victoria to be trained by part owners Matthew and Gerald Lanigan.

But after failing to adapt down south, the Lanigans and Punters HQ made the decision to send Rusty Memories to Brandy Hill trainer Mark Davidson, winning on debut for his new trainer at Ladbrokes Gardens in a smart 29.99 for the 515 metres.

Davidson went on to win a further 27 races with the star sprinter, including seven at Wentworth Park, with his impeccable box manners making him a real fan favourite with punters, building up his own little following.

"He'd nail the start 90% of the time, he was almost unleadable," added O'Loughlin.

"I remember getting a call from the clocker at Maitland one day saying ‘who is this dog? He comes out under the lids.' I said you must have the wrong dog, remembering back to what Dave had told us about his habits early days.

"Mark always told us he could tell when he was going to fly the start because he could hear him backing up against the lids, it was almost like he'd slingshot himself out."

Rusty Memories stems from a fabulous litter, winning over 100 races and $250,000 in prizemoney.

"We owned others in the litter, including Beside The Truth and Pride Of Charlie, but in the end Rusty was the best, which is funny because he really came to us as the cheapest and probably the least we expected to get to where he did," added O'Loughlin.

At Ladbrokes Gardens last Friday, Rusty Memories had his final race start, finishing seventh behind Liberty Lee.

"From all his successes I'd have to say the 600 win at The Gardens was the most satisfying," added O'Loughlin.

"Not many people thought he'd run the 600 out but Mark was adamant he would. I can't speak highly enough of the job Mark did with him right the way through. To race for as long as he did, so successfully, he did a great job. A big thanks from me, Joe and all his owners.

"He's retired now at Mark's but hopefully one of his owners takes him as a pet, he's a beautifully natured dog so no doubt he'll settle somewhere nicely … it's just a matter of where now."