Destreos - what an old marvel!

Destreos, A Real Life Superhero (Without A Cape)
24 January 2018 | Chris Barsby
Logo
Century: Destreos is looking to become the latest member of the 'Hundred Win' club this Sunday at Launceston
Century: Destreos is looking to become the latest member of the 'Hundred Win' club this Sunday at Launceston

Many chapters have already been written about harness racing’s modern day “Iron Man” Destreos.

And the fan favourite already holds a special place in harness racing history.

The 14-year-old gelding has endeared himself to fans around the globe owing to his relentless appetite for competition and never say die attitude.

He has defied most things including the biggest challenger to all mankind - Father Time.

Within his plain bay frame is a massive heart with an amazing ejection fraction, not so unlike the legendary Phar Lap.

He also possesses pins of steel with his battle scarred legs that pump like pistons which have carried him to glory on so many occasions.

To be more accurate, the number is 99.

After 445 starts, the Ken Rattray and Sally Stingel prepared pacer and much loved family member is set to join another exclusive list.

His next victory will register his century of triumphs, therefore, joining the household name of Paleface Adios and central Queensland 1980’s star Cane Smoke as the only pacers in the Southern Hemisphere to win more than 100 races.

Cane Smoke holds the official record with 120 victories while Paleface Adios won 108 races.

Truly remarkable.

In North America, the list of centurions is a little longer with 15 already in the record books and set to be extended when the world’s richest pacer of all time Foiled Again ($7.54 million plus) raises the bat with his century in the coming weeks.

And just like Foiled Again, Destreos has never sidestepped a fight.

He has raced during an era of absolute superstars which includes Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn, Smoken Up, Mr Feelgood, Be Good Johnny, Washakie, Flashing Red and Slipnslide among many others.

And amazingly, many of the above mentioned equine freaks were based in his backyard of Brisbane.

As it stands, the horse commonly known as “Dexter” holds the record for most wins (73) at Albion Park - the metropolitan venue for harness racing in the Sunshine State.

It’s a record that will never be beaten.

Even more amazingly, the bulk of those victories have come via the hardest level of competition, free-for-all racing.

No short cuts and no places to hide in that often brutal arena.

Destreos has raced at Albion Park, Gold Coast, Redcliffe, Menangle, Bathurst, Dubbo and Newcastle plus Alexandra Park and Cambridge in New Zealand.

But his efforts and records are well documented at Albion Park; he graced the track on 321 occasions which resulted in 73 wins and 100 minor placings.

A number of drivers have partnered “Dex” including Kelli Dawson, Scott Kunde, Darrel Graham, Bruce Birch, Ray Law, Ricky Thurlow, Mathew Neilson, Shane Graham, Luke McCarthy, Hayden Barnes, Simon Jones, Gareth Rattray, Ricky Duggan and Rattray himself.

And Dawson is a clear leader with victories.

The lightweight driver has posted 57 victories behind the marvel, 54 of those coming at Albion Park.

His biggest victory at Albion Park came via the 2012 Gr.3 $30,000 Be Good Johnny Sprint.

Destreos ‘s accomplishments and feats in Queensland were recongnised last year when he was inducted into the state’s Hall Of Fame while still competing.

And the announcement was met with harmonious applause.

Now based in the aptly named Flowery Gully in Tasmania, Destreos picked up win no.99 at Launceston on January 12 and shoots for the century this weekend, again at Launceston, where he starts in the Carlton Draught Open Pace over 2200m with Kelli Dawson booked to drive and will start from gate 6 in the field of six.

Since being based in Tasmania, the Astreos gelding has raced at Launceston, Hobart and Carrick.

But the move south to the Apple Isle has only grown his fan base, in an era of social media technology, ‘Dex’ has fans everywhere and those loyal followers will be tuned in as he closes in on that elusive milestone.

“It’s going to be an exciting day,” Trainer Rattray said about the possible momentous occasion. “To win 100 races with the same horse, that’s some type of effort because it takes a heck of lot of durability, determination and desire among other things to reach that mark.

“We get fan mail and meet well wishes all the time and that’s been the way for some time now and Sally and I can’t believe the impact he’s had on so many different people, it’s just so humbling.

“I’m sure that’s why people have shown affection to him, he’s overachieved when competing against the very best and he just keeps turning up week after week, rolling up the sleeves and having a solid crack because that’s what people want to see from their heroes.”

We all have the ‘hero’ inside us and Destreos is a prime example.

A worthy member of the centurions club!

The Dark side of Destreos:

Star pacer Destreos's bid for a remarkable 100th victory this weekend has been sensationally thwarted after the 14-year-old returned a positive cobalt sample from a race on December 31.

Who says they started then?

Magnolian Khan wrote: Surely he’s been tested before?

And has tested positive, but cobalt is a bit of a step up from bute which was the last thing the trainer got time for with this horse before leaving Queensland.

Great Drugs..

Drugs or not, great effort by the horse

Eliminated pain, Carioca? That's a huge performance enhancer in my book.

Carioca wrote: Gotta disagree with you there Judge, just like Cassius fought with cortisone knuckles, it didn't make him fight better than he was, just eliminated pain, and bute if not abused only let's the horse race pain free, the danger with bute if used on something with a severe chronic problem it can become acute quickly and therein lies the danger of disaster.

Of course it made him fight better.

If you have ever played football yes it does make you play better, why, because you have a lot more movement and freedom in your limbs and you don't feel the pain.

An amazing drug.

Paul Hogan wrote: Carioca wrote: Gotta disagree with you there Judge, just like Cassius fought with cortisone knuckles, it didn't make him fight better than he was, just eliminated pain, and bute if not abused only let's the horse race pain free, the danger with bute if used on something with a severe chronic problem it can become acute quickly and therein lies the danger of disaster. Of course it made him fight better. If you have ever played football yes it does make you play better, why, because you have a lot more movement and freedom in your limbs and you don't feel the pain. An amazing drug.

Aah, so they’re running sore horse? That’s much better..

Right, I'm back now , decided to retire early, your too stubborn for me Judge, just wonder if you still debate the chicken and egg theory, because I don't for sanity's sake, have a good day and back a winner, I'm outski .