Hi Kevin. The money is better in the USA but you have to win to get it ! ALL the costs are much higher too , starting with the plane fare of AUD$25K. Success with fillies and mares in the US certainly enhances their breeding prospects , again a costly exercise to bring them home with quarantine involved.
There is high demand from the USA for Australasian race fillies and mares. Beach Music was the subject of a significant offer after the NSWOaks , we declined and decided to send her ourselves , but the flight was cancelled so she is back in work. Flights are scheduled for May but may not eventuate. Fillies and mares in the USA NEVER have to race against their male counterparts, there are always races for females and they can race for high stakes if good enough.
I have become very disillusioned with the lack of fair racing opportunities for mares in Victoria. There should be an open mares race every 2 weeks instead the options are to race the boys or stay at home. I wanted to continue racing Speak No Evil and Pistol Abbey , both very lightly raced and NR of 114 and 111. They are now broodmares. There should be equal opportunities for females but my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. It would be a boost to the breeding industry with more demand for fillies and longevity for good mares. I have always said Ash Barty does not have to play Roger Federer to win a Tennis match ! Lauriston will continue to strive for excellence, I love what I do and have already started my research for the next breeding season.