Milestone moments should always be well celebrated. So the party planning should be underway. Destreos, the ‘iron’ horse of Queensland claimed his 57th harness racing victory at Albion Park today when leading throughout in the Sure Duz Mosquito Candle Open Pace defeating The Kind Of Swing and Emperor Montana.
He is quite clearly, the most winningest horse at the state’s premier track. But it just wasn’t another victory at headquarters of harness racing in the sunshine state for the veteran gelding.
He paced it in an incredible time of 1;52.2.
That’s a new career best effort for the horse commonly known as Dexter.
What is remarkable, Destreos is a rising 12yo.
The highly decorated pacer even left his most ardent fans stunned by his brilliant victory today.
“He’s an absolute champ; that was as good as it gets today because the emotion on the face of Ken (Rattray – trainer) when we returned to the stables after the event was priceless. It’s amazing how horses can really touch people and this horse means the world to both Ken and Sally (Stingel – owner).” Winning driver Kelli Dawson said.
Entering today, Destreos was winless at his past 17 starts but looked suited under the conditions and made full use of his front-line draw.
Destreos travelled strongly and always looked in control before scoring comfortably by more than 11m.
He paced the mile in sectionals of 27, 30, 27.7 and 27.8 seconds.
“Nobody ever lost faith in him but we have changed things up with him in recent times, we wanted to make sure he still had the spark and the fire in the belly. He felt great today and won really easily, I was thrilled with the way he left the gate.
“He just never stops surprising; he’s easily the best horse I’ve had anything to do with and I can’t thank Ken and Sally enough and I just wish this amazing ride never ends, he’s such an incredible horse.
“I know he’s not the greatest pacer of all time ever to race but he is my champion and I know that he is a champion in the eyes of Ken and Sally too, he’s a gift that just keeps giving.”
Dawson has driven Destreos to victory on 39 occasions.
And all bar one of those triumphs have been recorded at Albion Park.
The pair combined to win at TABCORP Park, Menangle on October 19, 2013.
This Saturday, Destreos ventures to Redcliffe where he starts in the Go One More For QBRED Pace over the 1780m and draws ideally in gate three.
Destreos has won two races on the smaller, tight turning track.
“Judging by the way he went today, I think he’s a great chance again this weekend because you can never count him out of anything.”
As he closes in on his 60th victory at Albion Park, you can guarantee the party planning is beginning to take shape.
Because milestone moments should be celebrated.
by Chris Barsby