Netanyahu spotted in Geelong

THE Washington peace talks may still be in the headlines, but the Israeli Prime Minister wasn’t the only Netanyahu to grace the pages of the newspapers in recent days.

Another Netanyahu appeared in Victorian form guides last week, as a long-odds galloper in race eight at Geelong.

He had some pace, but could not negotiate his way to the front of the pack, finishing fourth last.
Starting at $10.40, he was edged out by the gentile-sounding Hennesy Rhythm in the last race on the card.

When part-owner Terry Henderson bought the horse, it was already called Netanyahu. However, he was hardly surprised by its Israeli name, given it was sired by Irish champion Golan and is a half-brother to Kibbutz, which won the 2007 Victorian Derby.

“We bought him when he was about two years old,” Henderson, who owns the horse with former footballer and Australian cricketer Simon O’Donnell, said.

He added that the name was in no way a reflection of his or O’Donnell’s personal politics.
Asked how punters go with the tricky name, Henderson sighed: “We get problems with everything.”

Race callers, who have to bellow the tricky four syllable name in a hurry, also struggle.

“If you asked me how to spell it right now I don’t think I could!” Henderson said.

The owner also quickly hosed down suggestions the jockey should have raced Netanyahu in blue and white silks emblazoned with a Star of David, chuckling at the suggestion the horse may need to be accompanied to the stalls by security officers if that were to happen.

“I just sincerely hope this doesn’t disrupt the peace talks in Washington,” he joked.

While Netanyahu has no Jewish connections, Kibbutz is part-owned by entertainment guru Michael Gudinski. And with Spring Racing Carnival just around the corner, a number of Jewish trainers and owners will be ensuring their horses are in tip-top condition.

NAOMI LEVIN