Imagine being middle aged, still competing at the elite level of your sport and still winning with career best performances. Perhaps it’s a pipe dream for most of us and definitely unheard of for most racehorses, but not for veteran Queensland harness racing standardbred, Destreos.
Ken Rattray’s super pacer Destreos today led all the way at Albion Park to record its 81st race victory, its 62nd win at Brisbane’s main track, ran a lifetime best mile and equaled Hal Thomas' modern-day career record of 377 starts. Both Hal Thomas and Destreos have raced an astonishing number of times but hands down the Sally Stingel owned Destreos’ performances eclipse those of Hal Thomas.
Destreos officially celebrates a 12th birthday in one week, that’s 40 human years. He started racing in 2006 and has now won more than $660,000. Hal Thomas which was trained by Brisbane’s Mark Dux raced between 1998 and 2010 won 65 times earning $261,443.
Both Destreos and Hal Thomas fall short of the all time Australian record number of race starts and wins held by north Queenslander Cane Smoke which before computer form records were being kept reportedly raced 400 times over 11 years, mostly during the 1980's in Mackay and won 123 times.
Driven a treat in front today by regular driver Kelli Dawson, tough Astreos gelding Destreos left the machine like a rocket and posted a 26.8 first quarter to stave off an early challenge from Lebron (Pete McMullen). The second sectional was covered in 29.5, the third in 27.4 and he charged home the final quarter in 28.5 for a gross time of 1.55.5 and a stunning mile rate of 1.51.9.
Destreos held a 3.1 metre break on its nearest opponent, Ohoka Colorado (Shane Graham) at the end of the 1660 metres with Majestic Mach in third place for Grant Dixon. Lebron which tried to burn off Destreos at the start faded to finish fifth 6.4 metres astern.
by David Aldred