KEY POINTS:
To fully appreciate the enormity of what Napoleon did in the Franklin Cup yesterday you had to see the way Tony Herlihy was wringing his hands after the race.
The champion reinsman produced one of his magical displays to get Napoleon up to grab Classic Cullen in the very last stride of the $70,000 event, capping a remarkable month.
Just two months ago Napoleon looked finished as an open class force, dropping out in the Kaikoura Cup and being beaten in the junior free-for-all on New Zealand Cup day.
But he has returned home a different horse, winning three feature races at Alexandra Park in the last month, with yesterday's triumph his first over 3200m.
He did so after coming from the 10m mark, settling four deep on the markers and looking to have no chance at the 400m mark.
When he finally got clear he exploded - but that wasn't what had Herlihy smiling in disbelief after the race.
He returned to the stabling area trying to loosen up his fingers which had been under extreme pressure just to hold Napoleon back over the final lap.
"He doesn't really like being down on the markers and he started to pull very hard inside the last mile," said Herlihy.
"They don't often pull that hard and still have anything left at the end of a 3200m race so it really was a great win.
"He is a lovely old horse."
Trainer Barry Purdon was quick to echo Herlihy's sentiments and also praised managing owner Robert Reid.
"A lot of people would have been tempted to sell a horse like him this season and take the money," said Purdon. "But Robert wanted to keep him because he enjoys seeing him race so much and I am thrilled to be able to repay that faith for him."
The Reid-Purdon-Herlihy association dates back over 20 years, with the trio having tasted great success with Luxury Liner and Christopher Vance.
They both won Auckland Cups and that is the direction Napoleon will head in March, with Purdon saying the gelding's travelling days are over.
"We didn't even nominate him for the Hunter Cup and while he is racing great he is loving being at home so we are happy to look at the Auckland Cup."
The race was marred by the early loss of favourite Mr Williams, who galloped early and tipped out driver Brent Mangos after contacting Waitfornoone.
Mangos earned a round of applause from the crowd by clinging to the sulky while being dragged along the track to ensure Mr Williams did not get loose and endanger himself or his rivals.
Napoleon wasn't Purdon's only highlight yesterday as he also won with class four-year-old Power Of Tara.
The recent expensive purchase from the South Island showed staying credentials to grind out a 2700m mobile win which suggests he won't be out of place in the Messenger Pace in May.
* Another four-year-old to further his reputation yesterday was Awesome Armbro, suggesting he too will be a big player in the age group features.
Last season's New Zealand Derby placegetter was again an effortless all-the-way winner in good company, confirming he has developed mentally since last season.
* Later in the night the first northern juvenile race of the season was won by Justa Tiger, a son of two outstanding former pacers in Christian Cullen and Tigerish.
