The other night I stumbled across a piece about the great golfer Jack Nicklaus watching the 1973 Belmont Stakes. Jack had invited some friends around to his home to watch Secretariat's attempt to secure the triple crown. What transpired was probably the most complete performance by a racehorse, ever, anywhere.
Anyway, as the article went on, as the chestnut locomotive galloped towards the finishing line Jack dropped to his feet and started banging the floor, crying profusly while his startled guests looked on.
Asked years later by a sports commentator about this most un Nicklaus like behaviour, the 'Golden Bear' remarked "I don't know why I did that" to which the interviewer replyed "youve spent your entire life searching for perfection, and you finally saw it." Jack nodded.
Sunline's passing yesterday bought back memories of my Nicklaus like moment - in typical kiwi male style still my only one - on a public racecourse for petes sack, sober, in front of thousands.
It was the 1999 Cox Plate and the Valley was packed especially where we were on the lawn near the finish line.
It was a pretty handy cast that year. Tie the Knot, Intergaze,Sky Heights, Redoutes Choice and Testa Rosa amongst them. They could get along.
I started yelling when Sunline put the pressure on at about the 800m mark. By the time she had the field shot to pieces half way down the home straight, there were tears streaming down my face. I can still see remember my friends looking at me like what have you taken!
It may not have been quite the 73 Belmont Stakes -I was only 6 then and anyway Mohammed Ali held more of a fascination - but it was and still is my cataclystic moment following the racehorse.
You broke me down just like you did your oposition. Thanks for the wonderful memories girl. RIP
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