Every time a start a new SO save, planning to focus on sprints and the classics, I invariably navigate towards stayers - I love them! The Melbourne Cup for me is the highlight every year at the end of a long season, and I always have it in the back of my mind when breeding and bringing along horses in my stable. Most of all I'm mindful of getting their rating too high without a tilt.
Generally I start to race my stayers as 3 year olds, winning a few 1m6f and 2m handicaps, getting their rating to the 85-95 region before having a crack. In this save, I'd had a few places, but nothing close to winning, but when a new 2 year old (aptly named by the game, Hungry Winner) came from my breeding ground, he looked a quality prospect.
I couldn't actually wait to race him, so threw him into a couple of 1m2f races as a 2yo, after running green and getting third place in his first race, he won his second outing by 1.5l - again running green! I knew I might have something special.
Despite max stamina, I couldn't resist trying him at a few big races. He finished 2nd in the Irish Derby, before a couple of good runs in the March Stakes and the St Leger. I decided to pit him against the older horses in the BC Long Distance Cup at Ascot, and he hacked in by 5l. I was chuffed to say the least, but I knew now, with a rating of 118 as a 3yo, my Melbourne Cup chance had gone.
Hungry Winner had other ideas though, carrying 9 12 to win all out - superstar.
He's since managed a 2nd place in the following year's Melbourne Cup, and has a rivalry with another horse - they invariably finish 1st and 2nd in all staying races.
