Queensland Derby 2017: Linda Huddy finds perfect mix for success

LINDA Huddy and her husband Graham are still reaping the rewards from their beloved galloper Shoot Out, nearly a decade on from the day they paid just $15,000 for him.

LINDA Huddy and her husband Graham are still reaping the rewards from their beloved galloper Shoot Out, nearly a decade on from the day they paid just $15,000 for him at the Magic Millions sales.

South Australian Derby winner Volatile Mix, who shoots for his second Derby win in the Huddy colours in Saturday’s Queensland Derby, is a direct result of the success of Shoot Out.

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Winner of 10 races, including five at Group 1 level, Shoot Out retired with earnings of $3.2 million. He sadly died after a colic attack in January, but his memory lives on.

“We bought Volatile Mix’s dam Utopia after she placed in a stakes race in New Zealand,” Linda Huddy said. “She was out of the same crop of High Chaparral as Shoot Out.

“Because we had Shoot Out, we decided to buy her when she came up for sale. Initially we wanted to try and win the Queensland Oaks, but she didn’t do any good. She went out for a spell, then when she came back she had a few problems, so we decided to retire her to stud.

Linda and Graham Huddy will chase another Group 1 success with Volatile Mix in the Queensland Derby on Saturday.

“Shoot Out was by High Chaparral from a Pentire mare, so with Utopia we decided to do the opposite and send the High Chap mare to Pentire. Volatile Mix is her first foal.”

The difference between the two Huddy Group 1 winners is that Volatile Mix has not been gelded, something the owner had overlooked until a few weeks back.

“It was funny after the South Australian Derby. One of Weiry’s blokes said ‘he will be valuable now’ and I said ‘he’s only a gelding’. Then he reminded me he is a colt,” Huddy said.

“I thought it was already done, because that’s what you usually do with those staying-type horses, but he’s so quiet, it’s amazing.

“We’ve seen him a bit since he’s been in Queensland and he’s a lovely natured horse.”

Volatile Mix scored an impressive win in the Sa Derby last month. Picture: Calum Robertson

Huddy says her confidence would be higher if Saturday’s Derby were at Eagle Farm, where Volatile Mix’s staying prowess would figure.

“I guess he will just have to show them how good he is and win from out there,” she said.

Volatile Mix’s rise to prominence has coincided with the retirement of Preferment, who carried the Huddy colours to win more than $3.4 million.

“He was a good horse. He’s a lovely looking horse too,” Huddy said. “It always keeps you interested when you’ve got one that can win a couple of good races.”

Originally published as Queensland Derby 2017: Linda Huddy finds perfect mix for success