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All this stuff with the Storm is depressing me. I'm going to use this thread to give me something positive to think about.
I'm 27 years old and I've spent most of that watching (if not fairly keenly punting) on the sport of kings. Its one of those sports that, despite the fact its primarily a betting exercise, can give someone some really great memories. I'll give my nominations, but I'd love to hear what some people consider their greatest ever horse racing moment:
1. Better Loosen Up wins the 1990 Japan Cup
Here was a plain bay gelding, amongst blue bloods from America, Asia and Europe, competing in what was then considered arguably the most prestigious international horse race. His trackwork form was ordinary, and you'd walk right past him in the mounting yard, but he came home with an incredible run to beat Ode and Cacoethes on the line. I can still hear Bryan Martin exclaiming "We've done it! We've taken the Japan Cup with Better Loosen Up!"
2. Makybe Diva: A champion becomes a legend.
Greg Miles summed it up beautifully. When Makybe Diva crossed the line to win the 2005 Melbourne Cup, she accomplished a feat that may never be equalled. She had to carry a bigger weight than any mare in the cup before her, and had the disadvantage of being the topweight, but beat them home in incredible fashion. Owner Tony Santic retired her after the race, saying he could ask no more of her.
3. Lonhro wins the 2004 Australian Cup from nowhere
There was a phrase that went around the racing industry for a couple of years, there were three certanties in life: Death, Taxes and Lonhro. The son of Octagonal was one of the greats, but produced something special in this race. Checked twice in the straight, in desperate trouble, Lonhro finally got a clear run with 200 metres to go, but had to pick up stride again, and make up three lengths on the leader Dalzao, who had a massive weight advantage being a three year old. Lonhro dug deep, reeled him in and stuck his nose in fromt to score his most famous win.
4. Fields of Omagh wins the Cox Plate as a six year old
Having already won the 2003 Cox Plate where he beat Lonhro, and running second to the Diva in 05, you'd have forgiven Fields of Omagh if he bowed out without a placing in the 06 Cup. But this was no ordinary 9 year old. Sitting at the back of the field for most of the race with runner up El Segundo, the backmarkers rounded the field and took off on the home turn. They fought tooth and nail up front, but it looked like El Segundo had spoiled the party. The photo disagreed, and FOO became the first 9 year old to win Australia's premier Weight for age race.
I'm 27 years old and I've spent most of that watching (if not fairly keenly punting) on the sport of kings. Its one of those sports that, despite the fact its primarily a betting exercise, can give someone some really great memories. I'll give my nominations, but I'd love to hear what some people consider their greatest ever horse racing moment:
1. Better Loosen Up wins the 1990 Japan Cup
Here was a plain bay gelding, amongst blue bloods from America, Asia and Europe, competing in what was then considered arguably the most prestigious international horse race. His trackwork form was ordinary, and you'd walk right past him in the mounting yard, but he came home with an incredible run to beat Ode and Cacoethes on the line. I can still hear Bryan Martin exclaiming "We've done it! We've taken the Japan Cup with Better Loosen Up!"
2. Makybe Diva: A champion becomes a legend.
Greg Miles summed it up beautifully. When Makybe Diva crossed the line to win the 2005 Melbourne Cup, she accomplished a feat that may never be equalled. She had to carry a bigger weight than any mare in the cup before her, and had the disadvantage of being the topweight, but beat them home in incredible fashion. Owner Tony Santic retired her after the race, saying he could ask no more of her.
3. Lonhro wins the 2004 Australian Cup from nowhere
There was a phrase that went around the racing industry for a couple of years, there were three certanties in life: Death, Taxes and Lonhro. The son of Octagonal was one of the greats, but produced something special in this race. Checked twice in the straight, in desperate trouble, Lonhro finally got a clear run with 200 metres to go, but had to pick up stride again, and make up three lengths on the leader Dalzao, who had a massive weight advantage being a three year old. Lonhro dug deep, reeled him in and stuck his nose in fromt to score his most famous win.
4. Fields of Omagh wins the Cox Plate as a six year old
Having already won the 2003 Cox Plate where he beat Lonhro, and running second to the Diva in 05, you'd have forgiven Fields of Omagh if he bowed out without a placing in the 06 Cup. But this was no ordinary 9 year old. Sitting at the back of the field for most of the race with runner up El Segundo, the backmarkers rounded the field and took off on the home turn. They fought tooth and nail up front, but it looked like El Segundo had spoiled the party. The photo disagreed, and FOO became the first 9 year old to win Australia's premier Weight for age race.
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