By MICHAEL GUERIN
Among the cheers there will now be tears.
Because while the racing industry celebrates what is shaping as its biggest night of the year this Friday, a legend will say farewell.
Pacing great Holmes D G will have his last race in the City Of Auckland Free-For-All at Alexandra Park,
ending eight seasons in which he was rarely out of the limelight.
Trainer-driver Barry Purdon revealed to the Herald yesterday that the time had come to let his favourite bow out.
"This is the best way for him to go out. He will be on his home track racing in a big race," said Purdon.
"He has been too great a horse for him to end his career in poor races during the winter."
Holmes D G's retirement comes as no great surprise as he has struggled to foot it with the new crop of harness racing superstars, like Elsu, this season.
Purdon would have loved to win another $58,505 with him to make Holmes D G New Zealand's first $2 million pacer - but unless he wins this Friday that won't happen.
And Purdon knows he won't win.
"He has just been going through the motions the last few starts. He is telling me he has had enough," said Purdon.
Not that Holmes D G owes Purdon, his owners, or anybody else, anything.
He has been one of harness racing's most amazing stories since his career started seven years and one month ago today.
In his subsequent 96 starts he has won 32 times, 13 of them at group one level.
They includes four Derbys, two Miracle Miles, an Auckland Cup, a Victoria Cup and the Chariots of Fire.
But his favourite track, the place where he performed his magic most often, is Alexandra Park so it is the right stage for the final act of his racing career.
"It will be sad to see him finish racing but he will still be around our place. We love him," said Purdon.
The retirement of the nine-year-old will add further emotion to a special night of harness racing.
His last race will also feature the first clash this year of Elsu and Just An Excuse while Lyell Creek would cap one of racing's most remarkable comeback stories should he win the $100,000 Rowe Cup.
With three other feature races the night will be the strongest night of harness racing in Australasia this season.
Holmes D G has been given few favours by the racing gods though, having drawn the second line in his $100,000 farewell.
He will start from barrier 11, his only solace being that Elsu will start from the inside of the second line with Just An Excuse next to him.
Their draws end any chance of one of the two favourites dominating the race and should ensure an exciting finish to the open class pacing season.
The draw for the Rowe Cup will be conducted today.
The field for the $100,000 City of Auckland Free-For-All. - Falcon Rise (1), Armbro Innocence (2), Double Identity (3), Eagles Together (4), Harnett's Creek (5), Sly Flyin (6), Napoleon (7), Miracle Man (8), Elsu (9), Just An Excuse (10), Holmes D G (11), London Legend (12).
Heading home
* Great pacer Holmes D G will have his last race at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
* He has won 32 races, including 13 at group one level, for $1,941,495 in stakes.
* Holmes D G clashes with champion pacers Elsu and Just An Excuse in his last race.
* Friday night's meeting also features the $100,000 Rowe Cup.
By MICHAEL GUERIN
Among the cheers there will now be tears.
Because while the racing industry celebrates what is shaping as its biggest night of the year this Friday, a legend will say farewell.
Pacing great Holmes D G will have his last race in the City Of Auckland Free-For-All at Alexandra Park,
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