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Old stager Daad’s The Way sent out a clear signal he was not ready to be put to pasture after he brained his rivals like a three-year-old on Friday night.
The 11-year-old son of Istidaad might not have saluted since November, and his subsequent forward runs had been few and far between, but the drop in class to the $35,000 Class 5 Division 2 race over 1700m suddenly saw those ageing legs turn back the years.
Ridden by Michael Rodd, Daad’s The Way ($24) improved from a midfield spot around runners to be within striking distance by the home turn, and the moment his jockey let go the handbrakes, the race was over in the twinkling of an eye.
The veteran campaigner, who was treading those grounds for the 117th time, produced a sizzling acceleration that belied his age to leave his younger rivals (except for Hear Me who is 12!) reeling in his wake.
So ominous was the way that pulsating win was coming from the top of the straight that one might even have heard the popular refrain by KC & The Sunshine Band “Daad's The Way, uh-huh, uh-huh, he likes it!” playing out till the finishing line.
The 11th win may have come in a modest race against moderate company, but the reception from the Bruce Marsh stable and his owners, the Country Rose Stable, to their beloved horse was worthy of a standing ovation.
“What a remarkable performance! I honestly thought he could be at his last race if he did not run well tonight, and a career as a clerk of the course horse would be appealing as he’s such a quiet horse,” said Marsh.
“No doubt there was only the No 1 horse (Clermont Club) to worry about in the race, but he’s done a good job to win the way he did.
“This goes to show old blokes like him and me still have something left in us. But I have to say he wasn’t the oldest as Hear Me (fifth) is 12.”
Rodd joked that Daad’s The Way would not have shown such a rejuvenated winning burst if he had been able to read his trainer’s mind about his retirement plans.
“He’s an old marvel. It’s my first time riding him but he gave me such a great ride,” said the Australian jockey.
“He jumped so well and while the others had to go forward to come across, he was able to get into a nice spot on a long rein. I was happy to just put him to sleep.
“He came back so well for me, and I thought I would have a nice suck-up behind Alan Munro (Happy Joy). But then his horse came back at the 800m and I had to grab hold.
“The other horses went around and I could not stop him either and had to keep the momentum going. I was just hoping he didn’t go too soon, but he just kept going in the end.
“I was told Bruce was thinking of retiring him. Guess he’s still going to be around for a while, though I suspect he would have not shown up if he knew what Bruce had in mind for him!”
Daad’s The Way has now brought his astounding record of longevity to 11 wins, 14 seconds and 16 thirds from 117 starts for stakes money that have now tipped over the $600,000 mark.