Emotional win for connections

There were plenty of tears being shed in the Riccarton birdcage as the supporters of trainers Peter Corbett and Terrill Charles waited for the pair’s bonny staying mare Dee And Gee to make her way off the track.

It came just moments after Dee And Gee scored her greatest victory by taking out the 157th running of the Group III New Zealand Cup (3200m) in Christchurch on Saturday.

That Charles was on hand to play such a pivotal role in the win with her partner Corbett is testament to her strength and bloody mindedness after being diagnosed four years ago with an aggressive form of brain cancer and given just 41⁄2 months to live.

Charles has stubbornly refused to let her cancer affect her and together with Corbett, who has overcome health issues of his own in recent years, has built up a boutique team of thoroughbreds to the point where the partnership lined up three starters in Saturday’s feature event.

Charles cut an emotional figure after the race, putting her survival, despite the grim medical prognosis, down to her love of racing.

‘‘I don’t know that I would’ve been able to get to today – I would’ve given up if I hadn’t had the horses,’’ she said.

‘‘. . . She’s a tough horse and I am so proud of her. She’s just given us so much pleasure.’’

While Owen Patrick and King Of The Dance produced creditable but unsuccessful efforts, it was stable star Dee And Gee who took out the major spoils in the traditional two-mile feature as she out-toughed her rivals in the closing stages courtesy of an impeccable ride by Leah Hemi.