Man Of Illusion - 1st
 

This morning won a Grp 3 1000m sprint on the grass at Churchill Downs.

Knicked this from equibase..........

Race Summary
MAN OF ILLUSION (AUS) followed the dueling leaders from early on while four wide, was a bit wider for the final furlong and was fully extended to get up.

Fractions: (:21.90, :44.75, :56.28)
9 Man Of Illusion (AUS) $6.80 ($2)

From the Propun archive – Horse Watch 19/11/05
 

Man Of Illusion:
If ever there was a future star it is this 4YO horse. Backed from $8.00 to $6.00 he bolted in an 1110 metres restricted handicap by six lengths in class record time. More importantly he ran the outstanding time of 1:03.05, only one tenth of a second outside Star Of Florida's track record. Man Of Illusion now has five wins from seven starts.

Go Aussie!
 

Long way from Rocky to Churchill Downs, eh anchor!!

Certainly good news! Makes up for his unlucky 3rd at Keeneland, where he missed the start and settled last before running home strongly to run 3rd in new track record of time.

That placing and the US$100,000 for his Churchill Downs win more than covers the cost to get him to California and the initial training fee US$50,000 pa.

I know the intention is to bring him back to Oz for a stud career but you wouldn't blame connections for sticking around longer than first planned to build up the bankroll!