By Michael Guerin
It wasn't the money. Or the cheers of a crowd who knew they had seen something special. It wasn't even making it into the most elite club in harness racing.
They were not the reasons trainer Dave McGowan hugged his estatic driver Todd MacFarlane after the combination pulled off the biggest win of their careers last night.
MacFarlane had just reined Special Force to an all-the-way win in the $150,000 Interdominion Trotting Final at Alexandra Park when McGowan engulfed him in a bear hug on returning to the winner's circle.
For McGowan the hug was because MacFarlane believed. Not just last night, but years ago. He believed in McGowan's ability and the abiltity of their horse.
When MacFarlane and McGowan joined forces to train a team of battlers three years ago the Interdominions was not their dream. They would not have dared set their sights so high.
"But Todd came to work with me when we were struggling and we have made this stable together," McGowan said.
"And his belief has carried through to the horse. He has always been confident about his ability and that is why he isn't scared to take on any of his rivals."
While Special Force and his Pukekohe connections have been riding high all season, they don't plan to stop now.
Before the race they were invited to a prestige racing series in Europe which will see them take on the best trotters in the world.
"Hey, we are riding the crest of a wave and we will ride it as far as it takes us," said MacFarlane.
Special Force will leave New Zealand next month, his main aim being one of the world's greatest races - the Elitlopp Trot in Sweden.
And the European talent scout who invited them believes Special Force can beat the best in the world.
"In all the time I have been coming to Australasia I haven't seen a horse who will be as well suited to our racing," said Swedish trotting official Klaus Koch.
Special Force had last night's race as good as won when he speared out of the gate and was let away with an easy first mile.
That left him able to trot a blistering 1:59.3 for his final mile, giving those back in the field no chance to make ground, a fact reflected in trailer Africa finishing second.
Outside the winner the run of the race came from former rogue Aussie Noopy Kiosk.
He was kept back from the mobile and then worked into the race wide before fighting past the game champion Pride Of Petite, having her final race, to grab third.
The disappointment of the race was favourite Sundon's Way, who moved into the race at the mile peg and then had an economical run.
But when driver Tony Herlihy asked him to close the gap on Special Force at the 500m, Sundon's Way didn't have the answer.
Horse Racing: Special belief produces reward
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