GO MAZ

Go Maz is due to have his first race start today at Lismore. Go Maz !!






GO MAZ – The Community’s Racehorse

Although yet to race the story surrounding Go Maz is already quite remarkable. He cheated death at least 3 times, dodged the knackery at the last minute and now due to the community support of an internet forum finds himself heading to the race track.

Go Maz is the son of a most uncommercial Gatsby x Belle Hareb mating, originally owned and managed by a passionate internet forum member, let's call him, “Fasteddy”. “Maz” as he has affectionately been known to his internet family and friends for the last 6 years (since inception) lost his mum just weeks following his birth. He struggled through the next 6 months on life’s edge, with life turning for the up when moved to boutique property Massie Lodge near Warwick in South East Qld. Dedication, love and care from Fasteddy and the property owners Helen and Evan Robinson saw Maz slowly put on weight and grow, and at 18 months he had matured into a healthy young colt about to embark on a potential racing career. Maz moved on to the breakers and a property north of Brisbane in preparation for racetrack dreams.

However tragedy again struck when on a stormy summers night with thunder and lightening threatening he took fright and unwittingly charged into a paddock boundary fence. His injuries were so severe he was forced to spend 4 weeks in an equine veterinary hospital to assist with his recovery, tended constantly by “Fasteddy’s” devotion. Maz then suffered an almost fatal dose of the scours, with serious consideration at one stage given to him being put down, however Fasteddy would have none of this. With Fasteddy's care and his own will and determination, amazingly the brown colt survived, finally returning to his paddock.

By this stage the heavy burden of vet, equine hospital and mounting agistment costs were taking their toll on Fasteddy who reluctantly was forced by debtors to list Maz in a monthly tried horse sale on the Gold Coast. After flirting with death on no less than three previous occasion once again Maz’s future looked very bleak, little alone any prospect of the racetrack.
Word spread as Eddy sadly advised his internet forum friends of the latest developments. “Maz” had long been a favourite friend and mascot to The New Horse Racing Community Forum (http://groups.msn.com/TheNewHorseRacingCommunityForum) as they had followed his path from mating onwards. Some had supported his syndicate from day one, while others had maintained regular interest and encouragement through his years of development. Helen and Evan Robinson, members of the forum and fond past carers of Maz decided to step in and purchase Maz at the sale, if for nothing else than to save him and allow him a happy life once again in a quite paddock at Massie Lodge. Community interest and support quickly grew amongst the internet forum members who now wanted to support the 4yr old and any possible chance of he at last venturing to the race track. And so the Maz Syndicate was formed, with many members far and wide (all parts of Australia, Japan and Asia) now banding together behind the community mascot generously donating funds to support an initial racing campaign.
At last “Maz” looked likely of kicking up his heels on a racetrack. Win, lose or draw it didn’t matter, all that everyone wanted now was for Maz to be given the opportunity to make it to the races. He was sent to trainer Phil Quinnell at Ballina on the NSW Nth Coast to assess and commence work. In lieu of his public support and following Maz he and his syndicate was formally registered and the brown gelding named – “Go Maz”.

And now his first race day draws near. To the surprise of trainer and supporters (but not to “Fasteddy”) Go Maz stepped out to win his maiden trail recently at Lismore. After all the years of hardship Go Maz “the community horse” is now set to achieve his goal to race against his peers for the very first time. Results now are not important, the fact that Maz has achieved so much and brought together so many against all odds in the “sport of kings” is the real story.
GO MAZ!!!!



The New Horse Racing Community Forum

http://groups.msn.com/TheNewHorseRacingCommunityForum

The New Horse Racing Community Forum is a MSN forum that grew from the original Racenet forum. TNHRCF is independent, driven by its members expression, discussion and content which is why today it is one of the most active MSN forums with over 400 hits each day and hundres of members contributing each month. Punters, trainers, owners, jockeys, breeders, journalists are all active participants, even the stewards admit to having a look.
Of note, TNHRCF has driven the public voice behind many key industry issues across the last 6 years, including leading the Betfair debate, uncovered the "Dubaigate" Tab post race betting scandal and contributed to the naming of many macots for members including the classy mare "Forum Floozie".