Top Queensland pacer Caesar Augustus has been retired.
A recurring injury to his offside tendon forced connections to pull the pin on their star pacer following veterinary advice that he wouldn’t stand up to the rigors of another racing campaign.
Caesar Augustus last raced twelve months ago.
A powerfully built son of champion sire Bettors Delight from the Group One winning mare Armida, Caesar Augustus had movie star looks which matched his royal pedigree.
Bred and raced by Alf La Spina and his family, the horse commonly known as ‘Max’ burst onto the scene with a stylish victory at Albion Park on January 17, 2012 for trainer Graham Seymour and driver Chris Petroff before immediately heading interstate to chase lucrative riches on offer.
Three straight victories in Sydney followed including an easy victory in the Gr.3 $40,000 Sapling Stakes at TABCORP Park, Menangle in 1;55.9.
His first defeat came in the Gr.2 $50,000 Linden Huntley Memorial Final at Bulli when favourite behind Knightsmile at Bulli.
Caesar Augustus bounced straight back into the winners circle when scoring in a heat of the Bathurst Gold Crown series before running 5th in the Gr.1 $100,000 Final behind Ultimate Art.
His rookie term ended with three more starts resulting in a victory in a heat of the Australasian Breeders Crown at Albion Park.
In his final start that season, Caesar Augustus finished third behind Majestic Mach in 1;55.9 after racing without cover in heavy rain at the Gold Coast in a heat of the RQIS series, it was later established he pulled a shoe and suffered an injury.
Following a good break, Caesar Augustus returned with vengeance in his three-year-old campaign which started with four straight victories including the Gr.3 $40,000 Simpson Memorial at Menangle in 1;54.5.
Heading further south, connections targeted the Gr.1 $200,000 Victoria Derby at Melton which resulted in game efforts in both the heat and final with third placing’s behind star pacers Guaranteed and then Ohoka Punter.
Returning to Sydney, Caesar Augustus won a heat of the NSW Derby before running 5th in the Gr.1 $200,000 Final won by Lennytheshark.
Another trip back to Bathurst resulted in a Gold Chalice heat victory before running a brave second in the Gr.3 $40,000 Final behind Ultimate Art.
A road trip to Perth to chase their major events resulted in a 6th placing in the Gr.2 $50,000 Western Gateway and a 5th placing in the Gr.1 $200,000 WA Derby, outstanding locally trained colt Alta Christiano won both features.
Returning to the east coast, a stable change took place with Caesar Augustus heading to the Sydney stables of John McCarthy where he finished second in a heat of the Breeders Crown at Menangle in what was his only start for the stable.
Caesar Augustus then returned to Brisbane where he was placed in the care of young horseman Josh Moore.
He won 10 of his next 12 starts.
Caesar Augustus ran placing’s in the Listed $25,000 QBRED Breeders Classic Final plus the Autumn Championship Final.
In total he won 12 of 23 under the care of Moore.
In recent months, Caesar Augustus was under the care of his regular reinsman Chris Petroff who has worked tirelessly but he never started during that time owing to his injury.
Caesar Augustus won 24 races while running 10 minor placing’s from his 46 start career.
Petroff enjoyed great success with Caesar Augustus combining to win 19 races.
He amassed more than $220,000 in prizemoney.
We salute you Caesar Augustus!
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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