Ducks Dux, Clint Allen Win Australian Futurity Open
In his first-ever time to compete on Australian soil, New Zealander Clint Allen, Weatherford, Texas, catch-rode Ducks Dux for owner and trainer John Brekelmans, Gracemere, Queensland, Australia, to a two-judge score of 152 and the 2011 Australian NCHA Tamarang Futurity Open title to earn $75,000. “It’s pretty special coming down for the first time and winning it the first time. It’s a special win,” Allen said. Brekelmans, an accomplished non pro competitor with earnings of $176,124 described the feeling of owning the championship mare as ‘unbelievable’.“There’s no way in the world I would have shown her to win that, that was probably the best futurity finals we’ve had here,” Brekelmans said.
The ride on Ducks Dux was first brought to Allen’s attention by Brekelmans’ friend and Allen’s client Peter Ryan at the Super Stakes.
“John came down the day I got here (to Australia). I worked the mare, liked her and told him I’d ride her. I thought she was really well trained, she’s a really good mare and extremely cowy so I was pretty excited about it.”
Allen worked just two cows in the finals, each for lengthy periods, to mark the 152. With scores of 146 and 145.5 they entered the clean-slate finals as the sixth highest qualifier.
“She’s extremely cowy and has a lot of talent,” Allen said. “I knew that if I could make the buzzer (on the second cow) that we’d have a shot at winning it.”
The sorrel, 2007 mare Ducks Dux (Sophisticated Catt (IS) x Dashing Duckling x Docs Spinifex (IMP)) is one of the first Sophisticated Catt offspring to compete anywhere in the world. His first crop of American colts will commence competition in the fall cutting and snaffle bit futurities.
Ducks Dux is named for Brekelmans’ daughter, who earned the dux title at her school. It is awarded to the student with the highest overall scholastic achievement.
The reserve championship went to the brown/black mare, RBH Shes Pretty Stylish (Peptos Stylish Oak (IMP) x RBH Just Dreamin x Tassa Lena (IMP)) and Aaron Wheatley, Victoria, Australia, with a score of 150. They entered the finals in 140 and 146 under their belts. RBH Shes Prety Stylish is owned by Tri Star Quarter Horse Stud. Wheatley also finished third, fourth and 11th and was the only trainer to get all his horses to the finals.
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