Sometimes you might just need to feel the love, which may have been be the key to Shamus Award’s 27th stakeswinner, Distrustful Award in the Group III Launceston Cup.
Having shown enough in his three-year-old campaign to finish 3rd in the Group III Neds Classic, a time-honoured Vic Derby lead up, Distrustful Award lost his way a little on the formguide.
He found his way to Western Australia for a few starts under his original Ultra Thoroughbreds ownership, which didn’t end well, and was offered up on Inglis Digital’s 2024 July (Late) Sale, being passed in but obviously found a new home as Tasmania’s Peter Lutrell has been listed as both owner and trainer since.
And that combination has turned out very well – 10 starts, three wins and over $200,000. And full of love!
“He’s a beautiful horse,” said Lutrell.
“When he bombed the start again I thought well if he runs a place it’ll be a top run
“Gees I honestly can’t believe he’s won.
When I got him he’d won one race. Here is now he’s won the Longford Cup and the Launceston Cup.
“He’s just a dead set stayer, relaxes so well.
“He’s just a lovely horse to have around. He’s beautifully natured.
“He handles the wet so the option is give him a bit of a break and we might give him a few runs in Victoria in the winter.
“Main thing is I look after him. I love him.”
And that’s that. Sometimes racing is about the horse and its people.