TRAINER John Rooney paid tribute to the tenacious spirit of Macca's Hero after her fighting win at Tatura on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Ridden by apprentice jockey Jessie Philpot, Macca's Hero looked to be under pressure for most of journey in the $22,000 0-58 Handicap, (1000m).
Settling behind the early leader, Macca's Hero ($4) looked unlikely to run a place over the final furlong.
But the daughter of Kaphero was able to surge late to score a thrilling victory by a short half-head.
Rooney watched the race unfold from the comfort of his lounge room with his daughter and grand-daughter making the trek to Tatura.
"It was one of those finishes that you had to see it to believe it," Rooney said.
"I was watching the race from home and thought to myself 'geez, she is not even going to run a place.'
"It was an enormous finish.
"She is such a tiny little thing but is a gutsy mare with a heart nearly as big as herself."
IN OTHER NEWS
The ultra-consistent mare has two wins and four second placings from nine starts this preparation.
"She is all heart and has run four seconds as well this preparation," he said.
"She has been in work since March so that's about six-months.
"She can handle all types of going and is a versatile mare."
Macca's Hero's normal racing pattern is to lead in her races.
However, Rooney feels she may have added another string to her bow after settling off the pace and winning on Saturday.
"That was only the third time in her career that she hasn't led," he said.
"When she won at Dederang from behind, it impressed me.
"Then after what she did on Saturday I thought to myself it might pay not to try and bustle her early and let her find her feet and work into the race."
Rooney revealed some advice from the late Ollie Cox had stood him in good stead in regards to training mares.
"Ollie told me with a mare when they are going well, keep them going," he said.
"He told me that when Pink Shimmer was winning in the city, so that's what I'm going to do."
Rooney also wanted to recognise the efforts of Stephen Aldridge who rides Macca's Hero in trackwork.
