Zac Phillips’ drive on Magicool in the What The Hill Great Southern Star Final was nearly the stuff of legends, and although the young reinsman has to deal with the disappointment of getting so close to a massive Group 1 success, he seems content being beaten by a champion of the sport.
Phillips provided the first shock of Friday night’s race when he crossed two noted speed runners to lead, a place he stayed until the last 50m when grabbed on the line by Andy Gath-trained star Tornado Valley.
It was a brave performance from both driver and horse, who had been backed heavily at long odds for the final despite a modest third placing in the heats.
“It probably wasn’t as hard to take because I had every chance to beat him (Tornado Valley) and he was still too good for me,” Phillips said of the half-neck defeat.
“Through the turn he (Magicool) was just jogging and I knew I had the favourite outside me in Majestic Man – I knew I had him beat – and there didn’t look to be anything coming out wide.
“I knew there was only one horse that I had to beat from then on in and it was going to be Tornado Valley. Obviously, there was a lot of talk that they weren’t sure he’d back up after his huge run in the heat, so I was pretty confident through the turn. I thought I was travelling as good as any of them.
“Even at the top of the straight when he kicked, I was still super confident and just that last 50m he was just out of gas. The early burn took the toll on him and he was found wanting.”
Great Southern Star: “A fairytale” as Tornado does it again
Phillips said it was decided to give Magicool a warm-up before the final after he trotted poorly during the heat and that pressing forward from barrier five was the best way to give the horse a good spot in running.
However, Phillips admitted that finding the lead was never expected.
“I said (to trainer Rob O’Connell) that I was going to come out as hard as I can for 200m and try find a spot. And that if he happens to gallop, he gallops. But I wanted to go out giving it a red-hot crack,” he said.
“That was the plan, but to be honest I never thought I’d cross either of the two inside of me (Majestic Man and Tornado Valley). It was more done hoping that I’d lob one-one, be behind the leader or something like that.”
Phillips said it was a tremendous effort from the seven-year-old, who is edging towards $300,000 in stake earnings.
“He just gives everything he’s got every time he goes out there and I was so proud of him,” he said.
“You know what? We didn’t win, but it was probably one of the proudest moments I’ve had.”
HRV – Tim O’Connor