Last week we learned of the passing of much loved stallion Danewin, but back in 1994 when he first entered the Bob Thomsen stable there was already a superstar in residence and that was bonny filly Slight Chance, who was also recently laid to rest at Hobartville Stud.
Slight Chance was officially retired from stud duties in 2012 and spent her final years at Hobartville Stud, but the onset of the warmer summer weather in late November proved a bridge too far for the 31 year-old matron, who was put to sleep on November 25.
Anybody involved in racing back in the early 1990’s will have the fondest memories of the little black daughter of Centaine with the baldy white face.
Slight Chance won on debut as a pre-Christmas two year-old in December 1991 and went on to finish her juvenile season with 10 starts in total which included four wins highlighted by a Group I double at the Brisbane Winter Carnival when she won both the Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and Castlemaine Stakes (1600m).
As a spring three year-old, Slight Chance won the Group I Flight Stakes (1600m) and the VRC Oaks (2500m) as well as finishing third in the Cox Plate and come the autumn added Group I wins in the Ansett Stakes (2000m) and Queensland Oaks (2400m).
She raced on as a four and five year-old, contesting the 1993 Melbourne Cup won by Vintage Crop, and was retired in 1994 with the overall record of 12 wins and 10 placings from 43 starts with earnings topping $1.7million.
At stud, Slight Chance also made her mark producing eight named foals, seven of which raced and all of them won highlighted by Group III winner Salgado and Dane Shadow, who went on to be a successful Group I producing sire for Kitchwin Hills.
Slight Chance spent the latter part of her breeding life at Kitchwin Hills and is pictured leaving the farm for the last time in 2013.
Amazingly tough, but unquestionably feminine, Slight Chance was a true darling of the turf and has lived a remarkable life as has her old sparring partner Burst, who was foaled in the same year 1989.
Burst had the measure of Slight Chance at two, but at three the black filly turned the tables and she will also arrive first in horse heaven as Burst celebrated her 31st birthday this year at Newhaven Park and is still going strong.
