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Steven Cooper used to think he was a big deal when he sat aboard a horse as part of the Blues and Royals cavalry at British royal funerals, weddings and trooping of the colours.
But none of that compares to the thrill he felt when Spin Around flashed across the
Ellerslie finish line, the dashing winner of yesterday's $1 million Stella Artois Auckland Cup.
Punters were gobsmacked at the $57.90 upset win but Cooper floated on air like never before while partner Michelle Stebbing did a birdcage dance she didn't even remember 10 minutes later.
You get absolute honestly from people in moments of true ecstasy and trainer Cooper was quick to admit that he'd perhaps not prepared Spin Around as astutely as he'd have liked in a spring campaign.
A year after the former Hong Kong galloper had been sweeping everything before him, Spin Around raced well below that form in the latter part of last year.
"Yes, I cooked [over did] him in the spring getting him ready for the Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings."
When he brought Spin Around out of the Kelt, New Zealand's richest race until Sunday's $2.2 million Telecom Derby, Cooper took him to Riccarton for the 3200m New Zealand Cup and its lead-up the week prior.
"I knew that was a mistake and this time I gave him a long, easier build-up to this race."
A stylish gallop during last Tuesday's Breakfast With The Stars session at Ellerslie threw out the tip that Spin Around was on the right track for yesterday's race.
Yet punters allowed him to go out at nearly 60 to 1 when the horse that beat him in a tough struggle in Sunday's Nathans Memorial at Ellerslie, Capecover, threatened Six O'Clock News for favouritism.
Cooper is a horseman and knows Spin Around and wasn't guessing that he had him right for yesterday.
Spin Around has the wear and tear all top-end horses show after international careers and he works around them. "He comes out some mornings and shuffles around," said Cooper. "He's a geriatric and we know that, but he's also a very good racehorse."
Owner Danny Wong got into Auckland at 7.30am yesterday and barely had time for a shower and a shave before arriving at the track.
"Yes, this is probably my biggest racing thrill," he said in the Winners' Circle bar afterwards.
The stop-start, slowly run Cup disadvantaged the chances of several runners, including the two favourites Six O'Clock News and Capecover.
Both got back and although they made ground late, they were never winning chances.
Australian trainer Paddy Payne said he wasn't disappointed in the effort of Capecover.
"They came home in 34.1 [from the 600m], which is fast for the end of a 3200m race.
"It didn't really give the back runners much chance.
"They came home in 35 at a shorter distance on Sunday, although I realise that was on a slightly worse track," said Payne. "I wasn't disappointed."
The race was further marred by the fall halfway down the home straight by Casa De Campo.
Hong Kong-based New Zealand rider Mark du Plessis returned to the birdcage walking, but with a bloodied face.