Racing: Faith is finally rewarded for Fake Denario's connections

By MICHAEL GUERIN

BENDIGO - One of the most powerful weapons in racing - faith - landed Fake Denario a Breeders Crown Final yesterday.

The Pukekohe three-year-old completed one of New Zealand's most amazing harness-racing days when he outfinished Lennon in the three-year-old final.

It was the fourth New Zealand win in the six rich finals, the first time our horses have won four group one races at one Australian meeting.

And, no disrespect to the other winners, but Fake Denario's victory was the undoubted highlight.

The Steven Reid-trained gelding obliterated the Bendigo track record with a 1:56 mile rate for the 1965m, taking 1.2 seconds off the allcomers mark.

The win in the A$121,500 ($130,000) event was a coming-of-age performance from Fake Denario, who has often promised to become a superstar.

Yesterday he did, his win confirming he will one day be an open class force.

But while the race, and the day, was a win for the Kiwis, it was also a victory for faith. And the self-belief of three men.

The first acts of faith came from Reid and Fake Denario's managing owner, Robert Famularo, who runs Cavalla Bloodstock.

The Auckland businessman has fallen in love with harness racing and put his considerable financial might behind trainer Reid.

Just a year ago the pair were struggling for wins as they worked on their master plan - to race good young horses in the best races.

But even when things looked their bleakest, Famularo never lost faith. "He is an amazing owner," a proud Reid said yesterday. "He knew what sort of horses he wanted to race and never got worried.

"He rang me this morning and told me that whatever happens today not to worry because this is only the start for us.

"Not many owners say things like that."

The pair were luckless with Strauss, who had to race parked in the two-year-old colts final, but were the toast of Bendigo a few races later.

That was after driver Todd Mitchell's faith went under the microscope.

Mitchell faced the most difficult driving decision of the day when he found himself parked outside fellow Kiwi flyer Winforu after 500m.

Many would have expected him to sit there and wait for cover but in a daring move he rushed Fake Denario past Winforu then handed the lead back to Lennon, having the faith his charge could work early and still win.

He hunch proved right, as Fake Denario dug deepest up the passing lane to land the day's glamour race.

"That was a great drive from Toddy because he easily could have made a different decision," said Reid.

"Considering how things were going a year ago we couldn't be happier with our team, our results, our driver.

"And we have our best horse, Baileys Dream, back home. It feels pretty good."

Such was the impression Fake Denario made yesterday that Reid may set him long-term for the Interdominions at Alexandra Park next March.

While the Kiwis quinellaed the colts final, things did not go so well for our best three-year-old filly, Copper Beach, who was crossed early and never got a clear run in the last lap of her race.

Driver David Butcher was blunt about the performance. "It was a terrible drive, the worst one I have produced in two years."

The stewards agreed and amazingly over-penalised Butcher, suspending him for six weeks.

That infuriated top trainer Geoff Small and he told the stewards what he thought of their decision.

They were not impressed and fined him $500.

On a day when the Kiwis cleaned up it was one of the few times the locals got the better of the visitors.