xanadu,

Yes I remember that day well, it was electrifying. I think though without a doubt his best and most memorable moment was when he won the Mercedes classic beating Arkady to break the then prize money record. It was a Big O day with a huge crowd turning up for the moment, people carrying signs, painting their faces cerise, wearing Occy caps etc. The scene was set but Shane Dye got himself in an awkward spot rounding the turn and he looked no hope part way up the straight. He continued to dig deep a got very close but on the line he looked to everyone to have been beaten, even the caller sounded disappointed. When his number went into the frame the crowd just went off, a skywriter drew a massice O in the sky, people were in tears...it was the most emotional moment I have ever seen on a race course. It also helped that I had a fortune on him at 1/1 as well :smile:

I have watched the race replay more than 100 times and I still say he looked beaten on the line but the photo showed his nose in front.

The great billy idol (shane dye) even admitted it wasn't one of his greatest rides....he said "it wasn't me today, it was all the horse".


Just thinking about it gives me goose bumps...Octagonal is one of my favourite ever horses and his framed picture hangs proudly my wall. Despite that he didn't dominate for an extended period of time, it was really only that brilliant season and in the latter stages a couple of weaker G1's including the Mercedes I talk about. For that reason I find it hard to label him a true champion.

My admiration is more of an emotional one for all sorts of reasons...but that's ok....he doesn't need to be a champion for me to admire him in that way.