In every war there are casualties and Yulestar wasn't taking many prisoners yesterday.
The gut-wrenching time the new king of pacing paced in yesterday's New Zealand left many of his rivals licking their wounds and rethinking their plans.
Usually cup week is a simple process for open class pacers. Cup on Tuesday, New Zealand Free-For-All on Friday.
But several trainers and drivers were yesterday left wondering just how much their stars would have left for another dogfight, while others have been left with horses nursing kidney complaints and possible career-ending injuries.
"I don't want to go around in the Free-For-ll after that run," said Barry Purdon's blatant assessment of Holmes D G's brutal run.
The second favourite lost his chance with an early gallop and was then forced three wide by Australian driver Dennis Wilson with a lap to run, a move that earned Wilson a $550 fine for breaching the push-out rule.
That left Holmes D G a spent force at the 400m and Purdon devastated.
"Today was the best I have ever had him and to lose that ground and get that sort of run was a great shame," said Purdon.
"I am not taking anything away from Yulestar but we were never in the race and he has gone super to get as close as he did."
Purdon believes Holmes D G should be invited to defend his Miracle Mile title next week but he is unlikely to be invited unless he starts and performs well in the Free-For-All.
"But if he starts in that and then has to head to Sydney for the Miracle Mile it makes for an extremely hard two weeks and we still have a lot of racing to go this season," said Purdon.
Another left shaking his head yesterday was young Auckland trainer Todd MacFarlane.
He saw his cup dream disappear when Mac De Stroyer shied at the starter 50m after the start.
"He stepped well enough but when he saw the starter he ducked in and that was that. The worst thing was we were stuck three wide later and it made for a pretty hard day at the office when the winner of going a world record."
MacFarlane said like most trainers he would start in the Free-For-All but agreed Mac De Stroyer may be needing a brief let-up after that.
"That was a very tough race for all involved."
The only female driver in the race Jo Herbert said she knew southern favourite Chloe Hanover was shot at the bell after her early gallop and then working up to sit parked.
"It was only her courage that saw her stick it out but she should have gone better. It was a very hard race."
Aussie gun Breeny's Fella failed to fire, prompting a veterinary examination.
"It looks like he could have a possible kidney problem and we will have him looked over cloesly by the vets in the nest few days before deciding what to do next," said driver Craig Demmler.
Perhaps the biggest hard luck story in the race was Auckland Cup winner Happy Asset, who was slightly checked and broke at the 200m point when searching for an inside run.
"He wouldn't have beaten Yulestar but he would have run second," said driver Anthony Butt.
Lady luck also deserted Under Cover Lover, who was fourth.
Racing: Hot pace leaves long trail of casualties
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