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.
6. 2012 Ballarat Cup – Highview Tommy
Mark Purdon has brought many superstars to Australia in the past two decades. Household names in trots circles have flooded across to take our biggest races.
With absolutely no disrespect intended, Highview Tommy isn’t a name that would resonate as strongly as others.
He was, however, a winner of almost $1 million in stakes and a solid performer across a number of seasons.
It was his 2012 Ballarat Cup win that will live in infamy until the end of time.
Sushi Sushi had won 15 races on the bounce through the same time period that Black Caviar was building her record and with that came added attention to the son of Art Major.
Going in to this race Sushi Sushi was an odds-on favourite and after he ran to the lead with just under two laps to go, it looked a race in two between Smoken Up and the rising star of the sport.
Enter from stage left the kiwi, Highview Tommy.
The despised outsider was over 100/1 on the tote but he sailed down the outside, joining in late to just win the day in a classic finish.
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
