The well-known colours of the powerful China Horse Club were to the fore at Hastings yesterday when Madison County produced a devastating sprint to capture the group two Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m).
The stylish Pins gelding made it two wins from two starts at the Hastings track after he brokehis maiden status there over 1300m in mid-April to round out his two-year-old season. From the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable, Madison County had opened his new campaign with a fast-finishing second to race rival Melt in the group three Northland Breeders' Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka last month.
This time the tables were turned as Madison County tracked Melt wherever she went in the early stages before dashing past the courageous filly in the final 100m of the contest. Melt lost no admirers with a gritty effort while locally trained runner King Louis fought bravely to finish up in third.
Regular rider Matt Cameron was delighted with the win after experiencing a home straight hiccup although his post-race thoughts proved rather prophetic as Madison County decided to end the interview rather abruptly.
"He had an awkward draw to contend with and I was three-wide but I had Melt in front of me so I knew I was following the second-best horse in the race," he said.
"I dropped my stick halfway down but caught it again so he didn't have too much pressure on him, but he still got the job done. At home he's got his quirks and he's not the flashest to ride at the track but he can turn it on when he needs to."
At that point Madison County decided enough was enough as he ducked sideways away from the interviewer before making a beeline for the winner's enclosure.
"He's a promising horse who ran terrific at Ruakaka where he got home very strongly on a leader's day," co-trainer Murray Baker said.
