The 5 greatest fast-finishing wins in thoroughbred racing history
LET’S face it, when it comes to horse racing there are few things more thrilling then witnessing a runner come from the clouds to claim a win.
Chautauqua’s stunning first-to-last finish in the TJ Smith Stakes on day one of the 2017 Championships highlighted just how captivating a withering burst can be after the great grey made headlines around the world after its mind-bending win.
A fast finish is nothing new to Chautauqua fans, but this one was truly special.
It prompted the team at HorseBetting.com.au to go through all the best finishes we can remember to compile a list of the greatest performances from down-and-out horses in recent times.
Sit back and relish the spectacle, and if you invested on any of these runners, you will enjoy it just that little bit more.
Lonhro overcomes adversity to win the Australian Cup
Lonhro had some sparkling wins throughout its career, but most pundits would agree the Australian Cup win in 2004 was the crown jewel.
Heavily-favoured going into the race, the Octagonal progeny had a great run in transit before getting boxed in at the turn, then checked, and checked again.
Ordinarily, you would write off any horse in this situation.
The gun runner was then switched to the outside in a desperate move, but as all champions do, Lonhro responded.
Under the urgings of the partisan crowd, Lonhro dug deep and produced one of the greatest come-from-behind finishes in racing history.
The call from the great Greg Miles is one of the greatest we have heard and it still gives us chills.
Winx starts the streak in stunning fashion on the Sunshine Coast
We all know Winx these days as the mighty-mare with a legacy that will sit amongst the upper echelons of Australian racing, but few racing fans will remember where it all began for the champion – a stunning win in the Group Three Sunshine Coast Guineas.
In recent times Winx has loomed midfield and unleashed huge runs at the 400m mark to torch the field, but at the start of the winning streak Winx was last on the turn and completely out of the picture.
Even the race caller does not spot Winx until the last minute, but the mare’s turn of foot is insane and gives us a glimpse of what was to come.
Pakistan Star sprouts wings to win on debut
There are plenty of stunning performances in this list, but Pakistan Star’s debut in Hong Kong could be the greatest first-race effort we have ever seen.
The German-bred gelding had been a slow starter in barrier trials leading up to its maiden start, but the team would have experienced a true panic when it was pushed along at the back of the field, four lengths detached from the second-last runner.
Entering the straight Pakistan Star is miles off the pace and looking like it will struggle to get past the majority of the field, but the star sprinter emerges from absolutely nowhere to claim an incredible win.
Woorim unleashes a withering run to win the Oakleigh Plate
This is another one of those runs that upon reflection, you are left asking yourself ‘how exactly did Woorim win that?’
A massive field of 18 ran around in the 2012 edition of the group one event, and after a poor start the horse had a lot of work to do to make up ground on the leaders.
At the turn the whip was out and the horse was barely responding, but Damian Browne took the Woorim to the outside anyway.
What followed was the stuff of legend.
The horse did not even get a mention on the turn, and even as the race entered the absolute final stages Greg Miles did not even name Woorim until the post emerged – highlighting just how shocking the finish was.
The Oakleight Plate has had numerous heart-stopping finishes, but this was without question the greatest finish in the race’s history.
Gust Of Wind lives up to its name at Scone
The venue may not be among the most prestigious in comparison to the others, but Gust Of Wind’s performance stands alongside any of the other finishes on this list.
The short priced favourite shot out the back of the gates and was pushed along early in the piece, but looked like it had absolutely zero chance of making an impression.
Even as Gust Of Wind straightened and found the outside it looked to be no chance, and at the 150m mark those that took the horse each way may have had a slight hope it could round out the placings.
As the line approached Gust Of Wind did the absolute unthinkable and claimed the win when all hope looked lost.
Even watching the replay we have no idea how the horse found the front, so we will let the video speak for itself.