AT last the amazing old dude got there.
By Adam Hamilton
At his 450th start and after more than three months stranded on 99 – Kiwi-bred marvel Destreos snared his 100th career win at Tasmania’s Devonport track last night (Friday).
He became only the third horse – Paleface Adios (108) and Cane Smoke (120) the others – to post 100 wins in Australasia.
Some wondered if Destreos would reach the “ton” after he was stood-down from racing after irregular swab to an unacceptably high cobalt reading from a race last December.
Pause for a moment and think about the fact the now 14-year-old Destreos first start was a second to Gotta Go Cullen at Alexandra Park as a two-year-old back on January 27, 2006.
To think, bac in 2006:
- Delta Blues beat Pop Rock in a Japanese quinella in the Melbourne Cup
- Flashing Red won first of his two NZ Trotting Cups
- Be Good Johnny won his second successive Miracle Mile, beating Blacks A Fake
The milestone 100th win was shock to most as Destreos form has been plain and he started a $25.50 outsider.
But local driver Mark Yole took the reins for trainer Ken Rattray and the old gelding showed glimpses of his best form to beat Victorian visitor Stagger Lee in a 1min57.7sec mile rate for 1930m.
What’s remarkable is that Destreos sat parked and his mile rate was just 0.2sec outside Jay Pee Ruler’s 2007 track record.
For the record, along with his 100 wins, Destreos’ 450 starts have netted another 71 seconds, 64 thirds and his earnings are not far shy of $820,000.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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