EPSOM WON, O’SHEA CHASES MORE
THIS was an epic Epsom – the tearaway early leader, the challengers lining up in the straight, the blanket finish and the spectacular last-to-first charge of Hauraki.
“I can’t believe it. I’ll take it but I can’t believe it,’’ said Hauraki’s trainer, John O’Shea, who grew up in Mareeba.
Jockey James McDonald was similarly stunned: “At the 600m I thought we are in trouble here – but how fast did he sprint?”
Hauraki finally broke through at Group 1 level in what will be remembered as a famous finish to the $1 million TAB Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick Saturday.
There was less than two lengths separating the first nine over the line as Hauraki came with a tremendous surge wide out to score in the very last stride.
In a finish that had everyone guessing, Hauraki ($6.50) got up to score by a half head from Dibayani ($26), with a long head to Mackintosh ($9.50) in third place, just in front of Happy Clapper and Le Romain.
Fabrizio, the $6 equal favourite, led by as much as eight lengths mid-race and it wasn’t surprising he tired to run 10th while Palentino ($6 equal favourite) never got into the contest and ran last.
Hauraki scored only his fifth win from 20 starts but he took his prizemoney over the $2 million barrier with his Epsom win.
“The last time something like that happened, I was watching Private Steer doing the same thing in the (2004) Doncaster,’’ O’Shea said.
“I know he was a long way back but I hadn’t sold out because I knew they were humming (up front).
“I was watching Palentino and he didn’t look to be travelling real good because we were hoping he was going to bring us up the rise.
“But Mac (James McDonald), as always, took the right option and we knew we had the horse right. I thought he was going to run a nice fourth but, holy dooley, didn’t he come quick?’’
McDonald admitted he wasn’t sure if Hauraki had arrived in time to win the Epsom.
“We were pulling up and I was watching (Sky Racing’s on-track commentator) Bernadette (Cooper) riding towards us and I kept thinking ‘Bernie please come towards me’,’’ McDonald said.
“He is a strong horse and a strong-willed horse. There have been a few doubters of him but he is my favourite at the moment.”