Famous losses which overshadowed the winner

ALTHOUGH triumphant in last night's Albury Cup, Captain Hammerhead's success has been overshadowed by the Swayzee's defeat.

Not only was Swayzee a short-priced favourite, he was attempting to secure a $500,000 bonus while remaining on target for a $1million payday.

By finishing second, Swayzee can no longer claim the seven-figure amount, but can still secure $500,000.

Harness Racing New South Wales promised $1million to the connections of any pacer which completed a clean sweep of the Carnival of Cups series.

There is also a $500,000 bonus for any pacer which wins four and a $250,000 bonus for three wins.

With three victories already posted, Swayzee can still aim for a fourth in Penrith on March 14.

Throughout the years there have been numerous 'famous losses' which have seen the runner-up overshadow the winner, such as the 1978 Queensland Pacing Championship – known at the time as the Sir Clive Uhr Championship.

The Grand Circuit event was captured by star pacer, Rip Van Winkle, which completed a six-metre triumph.

Chasing the stallion home was a solid assembly of rivals, headed by champion trotter, Maori’s Idol.

Driven by Ric Healy, Maori’s Idol worked to the lead before being overpowered on the home turn, with Sammy Karamea 15 metres away third.

Rip Van Winkle rated 2:04.2 for the 2530 metres, only five-tenths of a second outside the track record set by Stanley Rio in the 1977 Inter Dominion.

Winner of his two heats, Maori’s Idol was the first, and remains the only, squaregaiter to compete in a pacers’ Grand Circuit event.

While Maori’s Idol is the only performer to compete cross-gaited at the highest level, there have been other members of the beaten brigade which have received more attention and publicity than the winner.

Arguably the most famous of them is San Simeon.

Although beaten on his merits in a heat of the 1981 Inter Dominion, San Simeon grabbed the majority of the publicity.

The reason San Simeon made so many headlines in defeat was simple – it was his first in 30 starts.

Successful at his previous 29 outings, which remains an Australasian record, the Lou Austin-trained stallion finished second in his qualifier behind Michael Frost.

Despite his moment in the spotlight, Michael Frost was overshadowed by San Simeon.

Almost three decades later, another unbeaten star experienced his first taste of defeat during an Inter Dominion heat.

The year was 2000 when Moonee Valley played host to the first series set to culminate in a $1million Final.

One of the centrepieces of the Championship, four-year-old New Zealander, Courage Under Fire, went into the Inter Dominion with an unblemished record from 24 starts.

Regarded as the most exciting prospect produced in the Southern Hemisphere for more than a decade, Courage Under Fire had won a record six Derbys the previous season.

Spelled by trainer Bruce Negus the previous July following his Australian Derby victory, Courage Under Fire returned for a New Zealand win in December and a Shepparton triumph in January.

His winning streak came to an end on January 22, however, when second to moderately-performed New South Wales entrant, Kyema Kid.

In vast contrast to the boom pacer, Kyema Kid – trained by Darren Hancock - had run only one minor placing in his last five starts.

A crowd and punters’ favourite, Courage Under Fire was considered a ‘good thing’ in betting circles, which saw him take his place behind the mobile as a $1.30.

Such as Courage Under Fire’s dominance only one other runner, Luke Of Earl, was under double figures at $8.90.

With Ok Oscar leading from the pole, Courage Under Fire was given time to settle from his second row draw before being sent around the field to occupy the ‘death seat’.

While all that was going on, Hancock watched the in silence as his confidence grew.

He was later quoted as saying: “With a lap to travel I looked across and watched Courage Under Fire move up and slot into the death.

“He really had to be gassed up to get there.

“I thought ‘that’s good’ I just might have a chance now of being in the finish.

“Then turning for home and I could see the favourite having trouble getting past the leader.”

Forced to dig deep to claim the lead, Courage Under Fire began to shorten stride along the home straight as Kyema Kid emerged from the field.

To the astonishment of the crowd, the son of Windshield Wiper then ran past Courage Under Fire to score by a metre-and-a-half.

Ok Oskar held on for third, five-and-a-half metres away.

Even more astonishing was Hancock’s gesture to driver Colin De Filippi as he went past, turning to his rival and saying “Sorry mate.”

De Filippi, however, was the first to congratulate Hancock once past the finish, adding: “Don’t worry, son. That’s racing.”

Without taking anything away from the winner, De Filippi offered his thoughts on Courage Under Fire’s first defeat.

“Halfway round the final bend I knew something was up,” De Filippi said. “He just did not feel his usual self, not responding when I pulled the blinds.

“That was the first time he had never responded.

“This may have been due to a combination of things, but mainly a lack of match-fitness.

“You just can’t beat races to have a horse at its peak. Perhaps the antibiotics also knocked him too, as these can really take the edge off a horse."

To rub salt into the wound, stewards suspended De Filippi for two weeks for causing interference soon after the start.

Tony Herlihy replaced De Filippi for Courage Under Fire’s next two heats, which netted a fifth and a win.

In another sensation, Courage Under Fire struck his head on the mobile at the start of the Inter Dominion Final, costing him valuable ground and perhaps victory.

The son of In The Pocket eventually finished 11th behind local star, Shakamaker, with Kyema Kid 10th.

In what turned into a disastrous campaign for Negus, Queensland owner, Greg Brodie, elected to transfer Courage Under Fire to Hancock’s uncle, Brian, after the Inter Dominion.

Courage Under Fire had 27 starts for the champion horseman for 16 wins and three seconds before being retired to stud following his 11th in the 2002 Harold Park Inter Dominion Final.

His major victories included the South Australian Cup, Queensland and Australian Pacing Championships and a clean sweep of his Sydney Inter Dominion heats.

Kyema Kid had seven more starts following his date with destiny, with three thirds his best efforts.

The gelding was retired with a tally of 23 wins and 18 placings from 60 starts and a firm place in the history books.