In the spirit of celebrating our great sport and remembering just what our incredible athletes are capable of on, and off the track, let’s take a look back at the decade that was.
Blake Redden has detailed what he considers to be the 10 best races between 2010 and today.
Stay tuned for the countdown as we deliver one incredible race replay each and every day in the search for the most exciting contest in the last 10 years.
4. 2017 Miracle Mile – Lennytheshark
The 2017 Miracle Mile has already aged particularly well when you look at the field in its entirety and what they’ve done since.
But leading in to the race there were many questioning where Lennytheshark was at in his career. The 2015 Inter Dominion winner had many racing quirks. He drifted up the track in the straight, he threw his head about and he would best be described as ungenerous.
The knives were out after he was beaten in the Ballarat and Hunter Cups in the lead up to this race.
But what many weren’t counting on was his absolute grit and determination to deliver in spades one more time.
He was a horse that didn’t like to do things easily and this was no exception.
Lenny was buzzed off the gate but crossed by his stablemate Hectorjayjay, who wasn’t willing to relent the lead.
From the death seat he slowly built into the race before Chris Alford pushed the go button at the top of the straight and worked with the son of Four Starzzz Shark to put away the leader before holding off Smolda, who had a soft trip in transit.
Take note of the balloon sailing off into the sky at the 200-metre mark and also the list of superstars who finished in behind the Shark on this night.
The Best of the ’10s Countdown:
10: Blake’s countdown of the races of the decade begins with the Tiger
9: The ‘Tide turns at no. 9 as Blake’s great race countdown continues
8: Plenty to Love as the great race countdown continues with no. 8
7: The great race countdown rolls on with arguably the greatest horse
