Does anyone else get sucked in time and time again by a horse that flashes home from back in the field?
Well we get sucked in every single time, with the vast majority letting us down next start when they’re due to “peak”.
But not all backmarkers let us punters down.
Inspired by the efforts of Brooklyn Hustle in recent weeks, the “On The Drift” boys share their top 5 “Brilliant Backmarkers”.
Rough Habit
My word this horse had a motor in him, coupled with an undeniable will to win.
Rough Habit won 11 Group 1s, which included the Stradbroke Handicap & Doomben Cup in the same prep in successive years (1991 & 1992).
The 1992 edition of the Stradbroke saw him pull off one of the more astounding wins you’d ever witnesses, bobbing around the field like a cork in the ocean before claiming a half length victory.
A true champion of the turf.
Woorim
Not many 6yos had a turn of foot like this bloke.
The Robert Heathcote trained gelding won the 2012 Oakleigh Plate in a performance that had to be seen to be believed.
Woorim was last at the final furlong, off the pace by about 6 lengths before he got into his work to score by a nose.
Jockey Damien Browne almost looked shocked at the sudden turn of foot shown by the 6yo, as he barely touched the gelding as he mowed down the rest of the field.
Imagine if you found him that day at $21. Must be nice.
Pakistan Star
The best debut win I’ve ever seen was by a fairly well known horse that did all his racing over in Hong Kong.
At his debut start over 1200m, Pakistan Star missed the jump and was 20 lengths off the lead 2 furlongs into the race.
What was to follow was some of the most captivating viewing you’d ever want to see, with this equine star mowing down his opposition to score by 2 lengths.
He went on to win 2 Group 1s over in Hong Kong, giving punters a heart attack at nearly every start.
Chautauqua
No backmarker list would be complete without the grey flash.
Chautauqua was simply breathtaking. He was a 6 time Group 1 winner, including 3 successive TJ Smith Stakes & the Chairmans Sprint in Hong Kong.
It’s fitting that his last victory as a race horse was the 2017 edition of the TJ Smith, surely it can’t get much better than that?
Makybe Diva
The apple of Australia’s eye is fit for any list.
Makybe Diva retired from the race track a 7 time Group 1 winner, including 3 successive Melbourne Cups & a Cox Plate.
Jockey Glen Boss had an uncanny knack of putting her wherever she was comfortable in her races, which was more often than not in the back half of the field.
Both horse & jockey seemed to time their run to perfection, none better than the 2005 Melbourne Cup.
Shout out to Greg Miles captured the moment perfectly.
So, are you a lover or a hater of backmarkers? Surely, like us, everyone has a soft spot for them!