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Scenic Blast swaps track for dressage

Former Australian horse of the year Scenic Blast looks set to take Group 1 form to the show ring and could help make a difference to lives of many retired gallopers.

The gelding won four of five classes at his recent show debut and is the official ambassador for RWWA's Off The Track campaign.

He is also in line to be inducted to _The West Australian _Racing Industry Hall Of Fame next month.

Panels appointed by RWWA have chosen 30 nominees across the thoroughbred, harness racing and greyhound codes.

Judges will select 15 for induction in a gala ceremony at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Scenic Blast earned hall of fame consideration with brilliant Australian and English victories in 2009, when he was named national horse of the year.

"I didn't tell anyone who he really was when I took 'Clyde' to his first show, at Gosnells last month," Off The Track's equine welfare officer Sharon Joyce said.

"Entered in five dressage classes, he collected four winners' ribbons and also ran a second. Judges told me I had a future champion. I couldn't resist revealing his race name.

"I'm certain he'll be an important flag bearer in Off The Track's bid to ensure good homes for ex-racehorses. RWWA and the TAB launched Off The Track in April.

"Scenic Blast's trainer Dan Morton offered him to us in June and we made him our ambassador. I got approval to retrain him for showing. He's greatly boosted Off The Track's profile when we've paraded him at race meetings.

"An increased number of owners and trainers are asking us to find good homes for retired gallopers."

Scenic Blast claimed the Group 1 double of the Lightning Stakes (1000m) and Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the Flemington straight and then eclipsed a world-class field to win the King's Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot.

Prominent thoroughbred breeder, the late Sheila Gwynne, is also nominated for hall of fame induction.

Her stallions Raconteur and Indian Conquest won 11 WA premierships. Gwynne was the first woman to top a WA racing owners' seasonal list.

Albert Cockram, who owned Belmont Park and Goodwood racetracks at Burswood before World War II, joins the hall of fame nominees list. He imported overseas stallions and mares to his stud.