Racing: Last to first for Richie McHorse

Richie McHorse wins Saturday s $75,000 Hawke s Bay Cup. Photo / Race Images

You almost certainly got overs at $6.80 about Richie McHorse winning Saturday's $75,000 Hawke's Bay Cup, but if you'd backed him at the 600m you would have got closer to $35.

At that late stage of the race the hugely promising stayer was last two lengths behind the second last horse and, if anything, losing touch.

Astonishingly, Jake Bayliss pulled him to the outside of the field on the home turn and Richie McHorse switched into another gear to storm past the entire field.

Chances are he found a better patch of footing out beyond the centre of the track, but even that stretches the imagination.

Perhaps someone leaned over the outside running rail and reminded Richie McHorse that the Australian Oaks was only one hour away in Sydney. That would have done it. Nine years plus two weeks ago, Richie McHorse's dam Boundless was beaten a bare half a neck by Heavenly Glow and Damien Oliver in the Australian Oaks. Nine years less two weeks Boundless won the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham.

So, no surprise Richie McHorse, by Redoute's Choice, has the bloodlines to make into a headlining stayer. This time next year he could be acting in something much more ambitious in Australia.

On paper the feature at Te Rapa on Saturday was the 3-year-old sprint and the race did not disappoint its rating. The fact that it was competitive was underscored by the classy pacemaking Prom Queen only finishing fifth, but was just half a length from the winner, the Team Rogerson prepared Malambo. The favourite Paulownia loomed up on the outside of the line of those in contention, but looked to have been at least slightly uncomfortable on the Te Rapa track which, as it can, moved a little as some horses kicked off the surface.

Don't go off Prom Queen because she was beaten. She had a reasonably soft barrier trial before resuming in this race and was taken on in front a fair way from the finish. At no stage did she give the game away and was still fighting strongly at the finish.

Co-trainer Kenny Rae is looking at taking Prom Queen to the Queensland winter carnival.

Horses to follow: Fawn, Chou Chou, Ugo Foscolo, Youwantmore, who is very underrated, Sisterbeel, Deals In Heels and Woodloveto, who you will have to wait until next season for. Fawn looked a real improver for trainer Roger James, ranging up out wide in the home straight and running strongly over the closing 200m.