Col Tidy found an absolute sprinting gem in colt Zeditave, who won 14 from 17

Zeditave was an amazing Australian thoroughbred foaled in 1985 by the sire, The Judge (Showdown) out of the renowned producer, Summoned (Crowned Prince). As a juvenile the chestnut Colt was sensational, with only 17 raceday starts in just over a year. His owner Colin Tidy was highly regarded as an astute bookmaker and form expert. He first joined the workforce by starting a lawn mowing business so he could finish early on racedays and get to the racetrack. Col then worked under legendary bookie ‘Melbourne Mick' Bartley before eventually taking over Mick's business. He progressed to become a prominent rails bookmaker for decades at Randwick and Rosehill.

In 2011, due to poor eyesight and declining health, Col handed in his bookmaker's licence at the track but then established a thriving corporate bookmaking business.

Col made the news on Golden Slipper day in 2000 when took a bet of $1 million to from owner John ‘Singo' Singleton on Belle Du Jour, who despite missing the start by several lengths, flew home to score. A loyal South Sydney Rabbitohs fan, Col and his wife Helen also enjoyed great success as owner/breeders notably with the champion sprinter, Zeditave. Col also part-owned high grade gallopers Telesto and Newmarket Handicap winner Ruffles, who carried his familiar colours of white and cerise hoops and quartered cap.

Starting out in December 1987, Zeditave would win on debut over 1009m at Moonee Valley on a fast track. A week later on Boxing Day the colt would deliver a late Xmas present with in winning the Carnegie Hcp over 1000m at Caulfield with Greg Hall aboard. A hat-trick of wins followed a month later, defeating Vitalic in another 1000m Handicap. Come February and the young horse was developing beautifuly, winning the Blue Diamond Prelude at Sandown, then the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes over 1200m in a time of 1:09.8. With Zeditave's status as Victoria's top juvenile established, trainer Angus Armanasco then set his sights on Sydney and Zeditave showed he was just as adept the right-handed way of going when he won the Gr.2 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) in March 1988 with 'the pumper' Jim Cassidy aboard. Unfortunately, after six straight wins to begin his career, disaster struck at the Golden Slipper barrier draw when he drew gate 16 for the 1200m sprint, but perhaps an even bigger obstacle was the rain that fell in the lead-up to the race, meaning Zeditave would be having his first look at a Heavy track in the nation's biggest two-year-old race. The track would not prove ideal for the slick footed Zeditave, weakening to finish 6th behind Star Watch in the juvenile feature.

After a six week break, Zeditave would travel to north to Queensland and win Strawberry Road Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm, and then defeat Gypsy Rogue in the Prestige Litho. Stepping up to the mile Zeditave would complete a clean sweep at the Farm by winning the Channel Nine Stakes (1600m), then going out for a much deserved rest. Resuming in September, Zeditave would show his absolute class when defeating the Slipper winner in the Ascot Vale Stakes at Flemington over 1200m. Back up to the mile, Zeditave tasted his second defeat in the Moonee Valley Stakes finishing 4th with jockey Greg Hall. A 5th in the WJT Clarke Stakes with 58.5kg signalled some concern, however there no need to worry, as Zeditave would get a freshen up and go on a four run winning spree to finish his career.

If there was any doubt about whether he was still the same horse, it was laid to rest during a stunning summer campaign that produced four wins from four starts. After a first-up win over Clay Hero in the Rubiton Stakes (1000m), he then beat crowd favourite Vo Rogue and flying mare Special in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) before dropping back to the 1000m of the Gr.1 Lightning Stakes to defeat Special. Twelve months earlier, the Colin Hayes-trained speedster set what remains the Flemington 1000m track record (55.5 seconds). Proving his versatility, Zeditave then stepped up to the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and scored a dominant win as a ($1.40) favourite.

That was his fifth win at the highest level, but it would be his last with the decision made to retire him to stud.

Zeditave had won 14 races from only 17 starts before retiring and carved his name into some quality silverware. It was nothing short of astounding but it was over before he had even touched the sky, Greg Hall who rode him in 11 race wins believes Zeditave could have achieved so much more on the Australian turf.

But while Zeditave was lost to the racetrack, it was not the end of his impact on the industry as he went on to prove one of Australia's most enduring sires. While it took a few crops for one of his progeny to score at the highest level, he became a G1-winning sire when Strategic won the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley in January 1996. Chlorophyll, Assertive Lass and Ruffles followed with Group 1 wins in the ensuing 14 months before Assertive Lad, Sports and Typhoon Zed took his G1 sires' tally to seven. Strategic went on to sire G1 winners in Mistegic and Meurice, while another Zeditave produce, Magic Albert, has thrown dual Group 1 winner Albert The Fat, Randwick Guineas victor Ilovethiscity and Kiwi G1 winner Magic Cape.

Assertive Lass confirmed Zeditave's status as a broodmare sire when she produced Reset (by Zabeel), who was unbeaten in five starts on the track and went on to sire the likes of Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker and dual Derby winner Rebel Raider.

RACE RECORD - 17: 14-0-0

EARNINGS - $1,313,400

VRC Lightning Stakes (G1)

MVRC William Reid Stakes (G1)

VATC Futurity Stakes (G1)

VATC Blue Diamond Stakes (G1)

QTC Channel 9 Stakes (G1)

VRC Ascot Vale Stakes (G2)

STC Pago Pago Stakes (G2)

VATC Blue Diamond Prelude (G3)

QTC Prestige Litho 2 YO Handicap (LR)