A horse bought for $20,000 by a syndicate that includes former Black Cap Simon Doull is a favourite to claim a big payday in today's Karaka Million race at Ellerslie.
The fast bowler-turned broadcaster bought the colt, now named Felton Road, with eight other investors at last year's yearling sales.
After Felton Road won two races this year he was favoured to perform strongly in the 1200m dash at the twilight meeting. The New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million winner gets $550,000 for first place.
And as Felton Road gets set for the big race, Doull said the thrill of watching it win was almost as great as anything he experienced during his cricket career.
"It doesn't matter how much money you've got. It doesn't matter whether you own a tail or the whole horse," Doull said. "The thrill of your horse winning - you can not beat it. It almost beats winning a test match. It's an amazing feeling." Doull, who owns a dozen horses, got into the industry as a teenager. His friend's dad got him a job at Pukekohe racecourse when he left school.