The 46th running of the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud Japan New Zealand International Trophy Race had a memorable finish and an unexpected challenge for the leading runners.
Just 50 metres into the 1600metre feature race at the Bayleys International meeting at Tauranga Racecourse on Saturday, Markey Mark suddenly roared to the front of the top class Group 2 field without his jockey Samantha Collett.
A riderless horse can cause plenty of trouble but apart from a slight wobble down the back straight thankfully the horse did not cause any undue interference to the rest of the field.
The drama was of little interest to Kelly McCulloch on board All Roads who made an impressive run from the back of the field to surge home down the straight to win by a short neck from fast-finishing Scapolo with Beefeater third.
The impressive victory was the highlight of the racing career so far for five year-old gelding All Roads who a year ago had started just eight times for only one win.