John Wheeler, playing golf in Brisbane during the race, admitted he was surprised.
But a few years ago he may not have been.
Wheeler had been gifted Sir Heelan by Heelan Tompkins, who finished fifth in the three-day event at the last Olympics.
"Heelan said she had high hopes for the horse in the three-day eventing, but she said he wasn't good at dressage.
"I similarly had high hopes for him in the racing arena, especially after naming the horse after her and giving her a 10 per cent share, but I have to say he's been disappointing.
"He's left his run really late to come right."
We interrupted Wheeler's concentration only briefly in the golf.
"Hold on, I've just got to play this shot," he said halfway through the conversation.
"Shot," said someone. Yes, it had been a good day.
Ho Down was well ridden by Richard Cully, sneaking through underneath the leaders on the home bend, but he couldn't match the winner's fitness on the line.
Tom's Myth forced the pace most of the way and did well to finish within two lengths of the winner.
As trainer Ann Browne suggested, Ima Heroine was not ready for the assignment and finished at the tail of the field.
John Wheeler missed by only 1 lengths to make it a double in the feature races when At the Top missed by that margin from Morpheus in the $30,000 K S Browne Hurdles.
At The Top looked a chance over the last fence, but Morpheus, yet another capable jumper by top sire Zabeel, and Richard Cully were too strong.
No one could begrudge Morpheus the victory - his form read 12322.
There was nothing wrong with the way he hit the finish, but Wheeler was confident of improvement with his horse.
"There is a win in him."
