Worthington eyeing Group I glory

Worthington eyeing Group I glory	11.04.2008
RICK Worthington is a man of many talents. A renowned horse breaker and pre-trainer, he has educated the likes of Group I winners Schillaci, Flying Spur, Juggler and Nothin` Leica Dane. He has prepared hundreds of Australian gallopers for successful careers in Asia, including War Of The Worlds who was Group I-placed in Hong Kong. Somewhere in between he has found the time to train a few horses in his own right and one of them is Rosehill Guineas contender Steel Giant. The gelding will be striving to give Worthington his first Group I win and if he can deliver it will make the long hours and hard work all the more worthwhile. “It would mean a lot in the sense of the sleep deprivation, the cost, the pain along the way, all the patience and planning that goes in, and another eight or ten things,`` Worthington said. “And not just to do it for myself but for my family, they`re along for the ride as well and training horses isn`t an easy way to make a living. “My wife, Dawn, has put up with more than what most wives would put up with, all to let me chase my dream.`` The Guineas is one of the most open in recent memory with three horses sharing favouritism at $6 - Guillotine, Largo Lad and Littorio. Steel Giant, who the Worthingtons part-own with Australian Jockey Club chairman Ross Smyth-Kirk and his wife Denise, is a $10 chance. The winner of four of his six starts, the three-year-old was an eye-catching last-start fifth to superstar three-year-old Weekend Hussler at his first black-type test in the Randwick Guineas. He has the inside gate and experienced jockey Larry Cassidy in the saddle. “It was a great run last start when you consider he drew 15 of 17,`` Worthington said. “Things don`t always work out like you think but this horse is potentially a better horse than War Of The Worlds. “Hopefully next prep he`ll be a Caulfield and Melbourne Cup horse, he`s still six months away.`` Steel Giant has been in work since late last year and will be lining up for his sixth start this campaign. It has been a long preparation but Worthington says everything has been planned with the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and AJC Australian Derby (2400m) in mind. “He spends a fair bit of time in the paddock, we`ve got our own farm so it`s not like he`s locked up 24-7,`` Worthington said. “If he was, he`d probably be in the paddock now having a spell but he`s got a good life and we have programmed him towards these races. “It`s a vintage Guineas field and just to be lucky enough to be part of that is a privilege. “There are probably six or eight chances.`` And Steel Giant is one of them. AAP

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TROUBLED singer Britney Spears has reportedly started dating her bodyguard.

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The 26-year-old star has been spending nearly every day with her minder, former Israeli soldier Lee, who has been working full-time for her for six months.

He is said to have even started sleeping at her Los Angeles home.

The pair have been photographed on holiday in Mexico together and Lee has been seen dancing around a hotel swimming pool with the singer.

See pictures of Spears and Lee on holiday at The Sun.

"Britney and Lee hit it off immediately. He is her perfect type. She loves guys who work out and he is in great shape from his days serving in the Israeli Army," a source told Britain`s The Sun newspaper.

"He also has a few tattoos, which she loves. They`ve spent so much time together that one thing led to another and their relationship became physical."

"They`ve been having a great time – Lee`s put a smile on her face."

Spears – who suffered a very public breakdown earlier this year – recently reached an amicable custody arrangement with her ex-husband Kevin Federline, which gave her more access to her children, Sean Preston, two, and 22-month-old Jayden James.

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Vikkee Csodorosi of Tullamarine writes:

What will she think and do next?

Posted at 11:24am today

enigma of Qld writes:

Who cares!

Posted at 11:20am today

Kel of West Brissie writes:

I give it 2 weeks ... maybe she`ll do a LiLo soon

Posted at 9:18am today

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