Amazing seven-year-old Monkey King capped an amazing season with victory in the $500,000 Auckland Cup Mobile Pace at Alexandra Park.
The gelding, hot favourite for the big race, had already won the New Zealand Cup, the New Zealand Free-For-All, the Miracle Mile and run second in last Sunday's Inter-Dominion pacing final in Sydney.
The long hard campaign showed itself in the final few strides of the race when Monkey King, driven by Ricky May, almost had the race snatched from him by Tintin In America who surged home on the inside.
Monkey King turned his head to one side like a tired horse as May flicked his whip but valiantly held on for a half-head win. Tintin In America took second, a neck in front of veteran Baileys Dream.
Bondy, second favourite with the fans, led for much of the race with Monkey King one length back on the inside but he had had enough at the turn and Monkey King surged to the front.
Friday's win was Monkey King's 35th from 71 starts and took his earnings to near $NZ3 million.
To view a video replay of the race through Windows media Player, click here.
(NZPA)