Picture: Darren Winningham
A Ringo Starr tune … ‘It don’t come straightforward’ … might properly be the theme tune for coach David McColm’s and a six-year-old gelding he trains after they head to Randwick to contest the $2 million Kosciuszko on October 19.
That horse’s identify, paradoxically, is Far Too Straightforward … a extremely proficient, strong, skilled performer who has gained eight instances and completed within the minor placings on 5 events in twenty begins whereas amassing $1 336 675 in prize-money earnings. Not unhealthy for $45 000 buy.
However should you assume that’s spectacular, that has nothing on the intense life difficult obstacles that each McColm and Far Too Straightforward have needed to overcome in a journey that nearly introduced each of them undone at totally different instances.
There was that second in time when a critical well being problem nearly stopped McColm in his tracks.
A quiet morning break for breakfast again in 2010 turned nasty when McColm suffered a mini-stroke, which was attributable to a situation (a cavernoma) which he had since delivery, however was unaware of, with apparent critical penalties.
“After I did have that bleed on my mind, my ideas of ever coaching once more … properly, I didn’t assume I might ever do this once more,” mentioned McColm matter-of-factly.
A two-year restoration interval took McColm away from the racing sport however, whereas he had doubts about ever having the ability to come again, the intention lingered with McColm by no means relinquishing his coach’s license. The five-acre property he bought in Murwillumbah additionally had attainable, constructive connotations in that regard shifting ahead.
And comeback he did … a choice made largely on the prompting of Don Wardlaw, for whom McColm skilled with notable success within the 1990’s and with whom he has remained agency household pals for such a protracted time period.
The McColm and Wardlaw households type the possession group of Far Too Straightforward, who was their second buy when McColm resumed coaching.
Quick ahead to earlier this 12 months when Far Too Straightforward was struck down with a significant well being problem of his personal.
“It occurred in mid-April. Far Too Straightforward was recognized with acute colitis, which is a bug within the colon,” defined McColm in a latest Sky Channel interview, “and it affected him severely.
“He was on a drip for 5 days. He was on plasma for 4 days. His legs swelled up. He had swelling beneath his jaw, beneath his chest and abdomen.
“In these first three days there was some extent I actually didn’t assume he was going to make it however, being the horse he’s … a fighter … with remedy and care he got here by it.
“He was within the paddock. We nursed him alongside and helped construct him again up, and it took him two months to regain his weight.
“We determined after two months he was proper to enter the work program and that has introduced us to the place we are actually.
“I introduced him again into work and gave myself a little bit of a buffer for the Kosciuszko, pondering that he would take just a little bit longer to return at hand this prep, however he has come at hand that rapidly … that’s why I’m beginning him tomorrow at Eagle Farm.
“We’re a month out from the Kosciuszko, so that might have meant trialling him a few instances or giving him this 1000m run which simply suits into the preparation completely.
“It’s a great stepping stone to the Kosciuszko.”
Far Too Straightforward is already a two-time Kosciuszko ‘veteran’ having completed second and third within the final two editions of the occasion and his extremely regarded repute was nonetheless very a lot in play this time spherical, an element which noticed him snapped up as a confirmed runner quickly after the fortunate sweepstake winners, who nominate their runners within the race, have been introduced.
“He was the primary cab off the rank,” mentioned McColm. ‘The individuals who picked him this 12 months really gained a slot final 12 months. They rang me early final 12 months and mentioned, is he out there? I mentioned sure, he’s.
“The particular person I used to be speaking to mentioned he simply wanted to verify with the remainder of the syndicate, and he mentioned he would get again to me. Earlier than he might do this although, one other ticket holder rang and requested if they might have him, and I mentioned sure you may.
“When the unique caller did ring again and I mentioned, look he’s gone, he was devastated, however he mentioned to me on the time … ‘if we win a slot once more subsequent 12 months, I gained’t make that very same mistake once more.’
“True to his phrase, he rang me from Inverall straight after the sweepstake draw and he mentioned, ‘Mate, I’m not making that very same mistake once more,” and he requested the query. I mentioned, sure, he’s. He mentioned, “it’s a executed deal!’
What might so simply have turn out to be a tough luck story … and we haven’t even talked about the time McColm’s Murwillumbah stables have been inundated with flood waters that rose and swept by the place to a daunting diploma … has been became an inspirational one by the sturdy mindset and depth of character of a horse and coach who have been introduced collectively by the urgings of McColm’s younger son.
Archie McColm is a fan of the a number of Group 1 winner Alligator Blood and he instructed his father he ought to take a look at horses on the gross sales who have been by all Too Arduous, the sire of Alligator Blood.
Far Too Straightforward was the acquisition made, partially at the least, on that foundation, with the McColm’s little figuring out that Far Too Straightforward must exhibit the identical robust mentality, focus and dedication that Alligator Blood had displayed after having delicate ‘kissing backbone’ surgical procedure to battle is approach again into aggressive motion after his critical setback.
With out that trait in his DNA, who is aware of what might need occurred.
“It’s wonderful the best way issues have labored out,” acknowledged McColm. From what occurred to me… after which for me to finish up buying him, it was clearly meant to be.
“After we bought him, you might be clearly hoping to get a pleasant horse … and he has exceeded that. He’s a extremely, actually, robust horse. He overcomes adversity. He tries. He simply needs to go on the market and do the perfect job he can … and that’s what he does.
“You understand, we’ve got a bond with the entire horses we’ve got within the steady, however when you have got a horse like him … it’s particular. He’s a part of our lives.”
So, right here McColm and Far Too Straightforward are actually … lining up a stepping stone run at Eagle Farm tomorrow after which it would all be about including the ending touches to Far Too Straightforward preparation for The Kosciuszko – Take 3.
For apparent causes, it is going to be fairly a second if he wins it.
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