Monkey King will head to Australia for the $A500,000 Miracle Mile after he completed the New Zealand Cup-Free-For-All double in magnificent style at Addington Racetrack on Friday
"We have to go after that performance," said jubilant trainer Brendon Hill, after Monkey King sprinted over the top of his five rivals in the $250,000 NZ FFA over 2000 metres.
The shock of the race was the failure of the hot favourite Auckland Reactor, who went to the lead early but was taken on in front by the Geoff Small-trained Awesome Armbro. It was clear that the speedster wasn't going to hold to win when trainer-driver Mark Purdon started to shake up the reins on the home turn and he faded to fifth.
Stewards later charged Awesome Armbro's driver Phillip Butcher with not giving his horse every chance in the race. Purdon and his team were clearly unhappy, saying their chances in the race were undone by the tactics on the Geoff Small-trained runner, who compounded at the 500m and broke on the home turn.
The Auckland Reactor camp was upset at the tactics. "It didn't look good. He was savaged out in front," said John Curtin, representing the owners.
"It was disappointing," said Purdon.
May, who dropped Monkey King to the tail of the field, early admitted to confidence on the home turn.
"I was grinning because I could see Auckland Reactor was flat," said May.
"He won pretty easily in the end."
Monkey King won by one and three-quarter lengths from Nearea Franco, who briefly looked the winner in the straight, with a neck back to Changeover. Mr Feelgood was fourth, one and a half lengths away with a further length back to a tired Auckland Reactor.
Monkey King's time was 2:22.4, a mile rate of 1:54.3, with the last 800m in :56.1 and 400m in :27.1. To view the video of the race, click here.
Hill said the plan was not to go forward, but he did not expect to be Monkey King to be at the back and had thought it would be very tough to beat Auckland Reactor from there.
"I did not think any horse could do what Auckland Reactor did on Tuesday (when winning the junior FFA in national record time), but you sort of go out there without being too negative and have the element of hoping you can win. But the race has gone our way and we got the chocolates."
Hill said he and owner Robert Famularo had not wanted to confirm acceptance of the invite to run in the $A500,000 Miracle Mile at Menangle, New South Wales, on November 29 until after today's race, and if there was any doubt, it was soon dispelled.
"The great thing is that Menangle is going to suit him down to the ground. They will probably go fast in front and he might just be sitting back like was today."
It is expected that Auckland Reactor will still be invited to the Miracle Mile.
(NZPA)