Destreos chases century
WHILE the Meander Valley Cup (2650m) is the feature event on the 10-race harness racing program at Carrick tomorrow, most of the attention could be focused on another race.
Race three is a discretionary handicap with a full field of 12 and includes the Ken Rattray-trained Destreos, which is in pursuit of notching 100 wins and victory tomorrow would put him within one of that milestone.
The 14-year-old gelding is having his 444th start and will start off the back mark of 30m.
But given his record in standingstart events, the 30m handicap should not be too great an impost.
Destreos will be driven for the first time in Tasmania by Ricky Duggan, replacing Gareth Rattray who is serving a one-meeting suspension incurred at the Hobart meeting last Friday week.
The rivals in the Carrick race are a step down from the grade in which Destreos has been contesting of late.
The New Zealand-bred gelding’s trainer has said repeatedly that he and owner Sally Stingel’s aim is to allow their warhorse to reach the century of wins so that he can join one of the greats of the sport to have achieved the feat.
Paleface Adios is regarded as one of the greatest of all time, having won 108 races and placed 78 times from 240 starts for $535,640 in stakes.
While Destreos is not in the same class as Paleface Adios, he has as big a following simply because of his stamina.
Destreos raced at Albion Park, on the Gold Coast and Redcliffe in Queensland; Menangle, Bathurst, Dubbo and Newcastle in New South Wales and at Alexandra Park and Cambridge in New Zealand before heading to Tasmania.
He has spent more time racing at Albion Park than any other track, having stepped out on the circuit 321 times for 73 wins and 100 minor placings.
No other harness horse in Australia has had more starts and when he finally reaches the 100 milestone the cheers will be deafening.
Paleface Adios has a life-size memorial statue erected outside of the town hall in the New South Wales town of Temora, where he was born and trained.
His racing nickname was The Temora Tornado and his distinguishing features of a golden mane, a broad white blaze and four white socks set him apart from most of his rivals during a career that spanned nine years.
While Destreos is not in the same league as Paleface Adios when it comes to sheer ability, his longevity and determination to remain competitive at the age of 14 make him a star in his own right.